William Hart Frederick

Kansas City, Missouri – William Hart Frederick died Sunday, June 27. He was born in Albuquerque, NM and grew up in Kansas City, MO. A graduate of Paseo, he was a proud member of the Pilot Class. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia and was a Vietnam War veteran, serving with the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps in Long Binh and Saigon. He worked in administration at Truman Medical Center and later at the Businessmen’s Assurance Co. in insurance and financial planning. He loved traveling “the blue highways” and the family farm in Leavenworth. Family and friends including Sigma Chi fraternity brothers were the center of his life. He is survived by Sarah (Sally), his wife of 51 years; son Evan; sister-in-law Susan Ross (Ron); cousin Gordon Gephardt (Suzanne); and six nieces, two nephews, ten great-nephews and five great-nieces.

Facts give only a vague resemblance of Bill Frederick. His life choices were beyond resume building. He was loyal to classmates and friends from childhood to the present, continuing to make new ones. A conversationalist, he could talk to anyone. He was an explorer: traveling, visiting museums, and sampling music. The Flint Hills were his favorite symphony venue. He was a reader of history, literature, poetry, news. He was a proud military veteran believing that service to country was part of moral character. He recognized his fellow veteran friends with cards every Veterans’ Day along with a get-together at a local pub. He was supportive especially of education. A trustee of the Raytown Educational Foundation, he was valued for his financial background, but his passion was helping students. He valued his own education as the foundation of his path through life. He was a collector of toy John Deere Tractors and Britains, miniature farm figurines. An outdoorsman, he hiked the Rockies, canoed Ozark rivers, camped and was a leader at Osceola BSA. He was a bird’s best friend. His sartorial style was marked by chapeaus like Panamas, Outback hats, and flat caps. The urbanite or drape was his neck scarf choice. Always thoughtful of others, he would collect and send objects that reminded of his friends and family.

A celebration of life will be held at Mount Moriah Thursday July 8. Visitation 1-3, Service 3. Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Raytown Educational Foundation, 10750 E. 350 Highway, Raytown, MO 64138 or the Rally Mizzou Scholarship Fund (awarded to juniors and seniors with financial need to complete degrees), 407 Reynolds Alumni Center, Columbia, MO 65211.