William "Bill or Billy" Ray Pettiford III

William “Bill or Billy” Ray Pettiford III of Lee’s Summit, MO passed away on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at the age of 79. He was born on July 7, 1943 in Kansas City, MO where he grew up and made his home.

As a child, Billy loved to go fishing with his father. He was active in children and youth ministries at Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church. He attended Central High School where he played football and graduated from in 1961.

William joined the United States Army on Mar. 12, 1965 and served until Dec. 12, 1966. He served in the Vietnam War as a radio operator. During his tour he received 3 medals: Combat Infantryman’s Badge Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal Purple Heart.

Upon his return to the United States, Bill worked in retail. He started with Montgomery Ward then moved on to Kmart where he retired after 31 years. He married Elaine, became a family man, and raised his daughters. After he retired, he got bored, and then decided to work for the Home Depot for a few years in the paint department. He possessed a vast collection of music. He loved jazz and R&B music and loved keeping up-to-date with the latest technology. He enjoyed fine dining. He also loved traveling several times a year to visit his daughters and grandchildren in Atlanta, GA.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, William Ray Pettiford, Jr., and mother, Bernice Hardy.

He is survived by his sisters Patricia Roland of Kansas City, MO, Sharon Hammond (Ronald) of Las Vegas, NV; daughters Mignon Goode-Bigelow (James), Atlanta, GA and Dr. Janine Pettiford, Atlanta, GA; grandson Cole Bigelow, Atlanta, GA and granddaughter Maven Cunningham, Atlanta, GA; nieces Pamela Roland, Kansas City, MO, and Sharon Roland Jackson (Kevin), Kansas City, MO; nephew Kevin Hammond, Las Vegas, NV.

The family would like to thank Fonda Asberry and Doris Greene for the care and compassion they showed our loved one in his final days. The family would also like to thank Saint Luke’s Hospital East, Saint Luke’s Hospice House, and their teams of doctors and nurses.

Billy will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. There will be a memorial service held at Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church on Monday, June 26, 2023 at noon.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mtmoriah.net for the Pettiford family.