William R. Sapp, age 75 passed away at his home in Lee’s Summit, Missouri on Sunday, May 19, 2024 after a long battle with cancer.
Bill was one of eight children born to Howard and Wanda Sapp. During his childhood, he was an avid participant in Scouting. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He attended Deepwater High School, graduating in 1966. He then served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1969, serving three campaigns in Vietnam. While in training camp, Bill was awarded Outstanding Trainee. This was much to his surprise, as when he received the award, he thought he was going to be reprimanded for sneaking off base the night before!
Following Vietnam, Bill attended and graduated from the University of Central Missouri in 1973 with a degree in Criminal Justice Administration. He married Glenda Briggs on October 6, 1973. Bill and Glenda had gone to school together and had mutual friends that dated. Bill and Glenda’s mothers were very good friends and worried the marriage might not work out because they were so different. However, Bill and Glenda celebrated their 50th anniversary last year.
Bill spent most of his career working at Ozanam Home for Boys, working as a childcare worker and outdoor activity coordinator until he retired in 2010. He loved his job working with kids and having the opportunity to teach them sports and outdoor camping and survival.
Bill loved all outdoor activities, especially disc golf, camping, boating on the Missouri River and hunting mushrooms. Family and friends were amazed at his collection of arrowheads and medicine bottles foraged from the banks of the Missouri River. He was a member of the Kansas Archaeology Society and participated in several digs during the summer months in the surrounding areas. He found the artifacts that were discovered fascinating. Bill loved playing pool with his brother and playing poker every Friday night. Bill was an environmentalist and participated in Missouri River Relief, doing annual cleanup of the river.
Bill’s family was very important to him. Bill was known for always being protective of his family and helping them. He was always up for an adventure, such as his family’s trip to the Grand Canyon. They hiked rim to rim, which is a very taxing hike. Bill stayed back and made sure everyone got to the top.
Following Bill’s cancer diagnosis, he was never angry about it and never felt sorry for himself. As a lover of science and nature, one of his last wishes was to see the recent solar eclipse. He was thankful to fulfill that wish by traveling to Doniphan with his brother and two friends to see it.
Bill will be remembered as a kind, loving and thoughtful man. He helped everyone and was fiercely independent, even when he was seriously ill. He would often sit in his garage and engage his neighbors in conversation as they passed by. He would also listen to old music and his favorite radio program, which was “Science Friday.”
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and by his brothers, Ron Sapp, Jim Sapp and Kenny Sapp and sister Toni Shockley, as well as great-nephew Roman Hardy.
He is survived by his wife Glenda Sapp of the home; sister Lynette Kreisler of Blue Springs, MO; sister Vicki Booth (Jerome) of Lawrence, KS; brother Gary Sapp (Gina) of Deepwater, MO; sister-in-law Ann Booth of Clinton, MO; brother-in-law Jerry Briggs (Judy) of Lee’s Summit, MO; brother-in-law Michael Briggs of Deepwater, MO; and many beloved nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.
Funeral services were held May 28, 2024 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel, Clinton with Pastor Mike Vaughn officiating. Special music included “Amazing Grace, In the Garden and In the Sweet By and By.” The casket bearers were Gary Sapp, Colt Briggs, Jerome Booth, Jesse Sapp, David Raney and Tim Kreisler. Interment followed in Englewood Cemetery, Clinton, MO. Military honors were under the direction of the VFW Post #1894 and the US Army.
Services were under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, MO.
