Kenneth Lee Whisler

Kenneth “Kenny” Lee Whisler, 79, Lee’s Summit, MO, went home to God on Saturday, September 25, 2021. Born November 27, 1941 to Elvin and Anna “Ruth” Whisler in Kansas City, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Gerald “Jerry” Whisler, and his brother Ronald “Ronnie” Frederick, and stepson Mark Wilson. He is survived by his wife Nancy Whisler, two brothers Walter “Bud” Whisler and Mike Whisler, and two sisters Geneva Corum and Mary Jo Chase; three children, Kenneth “Buster” Whisler, Katherine Hunter, and Mindy Whisler as well as two step children, Laurie Grant and Kristin Leaver. He was loved by a large family of grand children as well, Anna Hunter Staffeil, Lydia Hunter, Tori Hunter, Abby Clevenger, Amy Clevenger, Joey Whisler, Logan Leaver, Ellie Leaver, Jesse Street, Dustin Street, Katie Sands, Lindsay Becker and Lauren Norris.

Kenny was loved by many he touched in life and had a servant’s heart of giving his time, talent and treasure to many organizations.

Kenny spent his lifelong career at Superior Bowen and retired as their Superintendent of Plant Operations overseeing several asphalt plants located throughout the region. He was known as the heavy equipment operator specialist and prided himself in his skill of being able to get the most efficiency out of any piece of heavy equipment.

He volunteered for Raytown Emergency Assistance Program (REAP) in their food pantry and facility maintenance. He managed the construction of their current facility that was finished in 2009 with a team of all volunteer builders. Erecting the building for REAP with the team of volunteers was one of Kenny’s most valued achievements. The Truman Heartland Community Foundation recognized his efforts with REAP and honored him in 2010 as Citizen of Year.

He had a work hard play hard philosophy with many years of being an athlete. He spent years on the board and volunteered at Kansas City Turners, a German social club. He helped coach the gymnastics teams and participated in softball, bowling, gymnastics, and track and field as well as volunteering his time on facility improvements and upkeep. He and his wife, Nancy, also competed in several National Turnfests.

Kenny was blessed to attend the 1994 Kansas City Royals Dream Week in Florida and loved every moment of playing baseball as an honoree Kansas City Royal.

He played softball for many years in the Senior Softball USA organization on the Goodtimers senior travel teams as he and Nancy traveled the US with the team. He received numerous awards throughout the years including Strongest Throwing Arm, Iron Man Award, Most Games Played, Great Teammate, Co-Team Offensive Player, Excellent Defensive Versatility and was known to be one of the speediest players on his team and routinely was tagged in as a pinch runner.

Kenny spent decades in the volleyball community as well. He was a player, volunteer, and youth coach through USA Volleyball’s Heart of America Region (HOA) and coached his granddaughter’s volleyball teams at Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic School. Kenny played on the KC Masters senior men’s team which traveled to many USA Volleyball national championship tournaments. HOA could always count on Kenny to lend a hand whether it was setting up for a national volleyball tournament at the Convention Center or building out the concession stand at HOA.

Kenny really enjoyed his time spent skiing with his family in Colorado and building his 2nd home there.

In lieu of services, in true “Whis” style, a celebration of life gathering will be held on October 9th from 2-4pm at Winterset Community Center, 2505 SW Wintercreek Drive, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081. Come join us for pizza and beer and share your most cherished memories of Kenny with the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Kenny’s name are suggested to Raytown Emergency Assistance Program, raytownreap.org/donate, or the Glen Davies Volleyball Foundation c/o Heart of America Volleyball, 548 South Coy Street, Kansas City, KS 66105.