I am so sorry to hear Mr. Austin has passed away.  He was probably my favorite teacher of all time.  About a year ago I was trying to locate him to let him know how much I thought of him.  He was so genuine and caring.  He loved his students and it showed.  I use to write a message like __ __ __    __ __ __ __   __ __. he would consistently guess what I had written.  Please know teachers have such a positive impact on kids lives and he was one of them.  Bradley Brooker

I had the great pleasure of being Mr. Austin's student in 1976 and '77 at Raytown South.  I not only learned a great deal from him about the subjects but considered him a mentor and had much fun in his class.  He was a great teacher and made a real difference for me and others.

One fun story:  At some point there was discussion about what the lyrics meant of the then-top hit Hotel California by the Eagles.  He assigned me to figure it out.  I never quite did until many years later, but in addition to being an enjoyable and fun assignment I often thought of that through the years when working to communicate and understanding the impact of music and art on society.

I'm sorry to have missed his service; I probably hadn't seen him since the early '80s.  Please accept my condolences and thanks for sharing him with his students.

Bob Jacobi
Raytown South High School Class of 1977

Remember him from the psychology class I had with him…He always made us laugh and made the class interesting.  Best assignment ever was making us do a paper on the meaning behind the Eagles “Hotel California”… We all had different interpretations and that, of course, was his point….  RSHS 1977

What a great teacher, he made psychology class interesting and fun.  I remember needing to choose a book title to report on and saw All My Children at the top of the list.  I was thrilled thinking it was about my favorite soap opera (it wasnt).  I remember him smiling and saying "What a fantastic choice Mary!"  We had a good laugh after I actually saw the book.  It's teachers like him we all remember.

Patti, so sorry to hear of Bill’s death.
He was such a wonderful person.
My sincere condolences go out to you and your children 🙏🏻

Patti and Austin family,
I am so very sorry for your loss.  My condolences to all.

I'm so sorry to learn of Bill's passing. I extend my deepest condolences to the Austin family. Bill and I were friends in high school (I graduated in 1965). I have fond memories of time spent throwing papers for the Kansas City Star/Times, and of the many Saturday nights (or was it Friday) at Olympic Stadium watching his brother race supermodifieds. 

My sincerest condolences to the entire Austin family. Mr Austin was one of my favorite teachers. I had him for psychology and remember him as a compassionate and understanding guy. He was exceptional when I needed advice. I am so sorry for your loss. 


Jeffrey Clark
Class of 80 

Condolences to the Austin family.  Mr. Austin opened the doors of deep time and space, inner and outer, through the study of history and psychology. He was a wise and compassionate teacher. I will forever be a grateful student. Peace.
 

Sending the family condolences.  Mr Austin was one of my favorite teachers in the early eighties. He had a way of engaging us teenagers and getting us to somehow look forward to psychology class!  
He was also our cheerleader sponsor. Imagine dealing with all us girls sixth period every afternoon!  
Rest in peace and thank you for sharing him with all the many students who passed through the halls of RSHS. 
Jennifer Shemwell Phillips 

My condolences to the family.
Bill and I became friends in 3rd grade at Southwood Elementary.
He remains one of the best persons I've ever met.
I recall meeting his mom and sister once at their home.
Both were very sweet, and even as a 3rd grader, I thought beautiful!
And Pattie, my dad liked you very much and enjoyed working with you at Missouri Public Service Company.
I'm saddened by the loss and wish I could've talked with Bill again.
All the best!

Dear Pattie and family,
Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your dear Bill.  I worked with him from 1980 until his retirement at South High.  We were in the same hallway at South and shared many a conversation and joke together.  I admired his wit and wisdom and remember clearly that his retirement left a deep hole in the quality of education that South was so famous for.  I believe I saw him once or twice since he retired but will always remember him for being such a warm and friendly team mate.  God bless you all.
Sincerely,
Dan Grosso

Dear Austin Family-

Mr.  Austin was my teacher in the ‘80s at RSHS and he was fantastic. He was passionate and relatable and someone that made an impact on us very unengaged teenagers. 

I am so very sorry for your loss. He was a great man. 

Julie Stewart Hoover
Class of ‘84

Mr. Austin was one of my favorite teachers. He was also the faculty advisor for the cheerleading squad and, looking back, I really appreciate his patience and kindness in dealing with all of us teenage girls. Once I was hurt in a fall during practice and he took the time to come by my home and check on me. Such a good human. God bless you, Mr. Austin!

I was a student of Mr Austin's. Loved his class hrs was entertaining kept your attention. 
One day he threw erasers to see if we were all paying attention.
Thoughts and prayers to your family. 
Susan Shortino Jones 

Mr Austin was a favorite. I only went to South my Junior/Senior year and he was the teacher I had the most laughs with! I think of his list of names in his desk drawer all the time. Ima & Ura Pigg were classics. He had hundreds of them!! Hopefully someone in the family was able to get the list! You will be missed. 

Very sad to hear of Bill's passing. I first got to know him as a kind & amazing teacher.  Later, as an adult, I had the privilege of having Bill and his extended family as neighbors.  Sending love to his family during this difficult time.

Mr. Austin you were such an amazing influence on the many young people you encountered, me included. I will forever remember you with a coffee cup in your hand and a quick wit. 

Bill was an awesome teacher and a popular co-worker. Im saddened by this loss. I was fortunate enough to have all 3 of his really great kids in my art classes. Im so sorry for his family. You are in my prayers tonight. 

What a great educator. I can still see him walking the halls of RSHS with that “ pep in his step”. It was an honor and a privilege to have taught with him. 

Bill was a great, well-respected co-worker and a great father. He had a terrific sense of humor, and a spring in his step. He was just as comfortable at a volleyball match as he was talking about World History or Abnormal Psychology. I enjoyed being his friend. 

OBITUARY

William David Austin

September 29, 1948 – January 22, 2023

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