William "Bill" Ward Sumner Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

William “Bill’ Sumner passed away on May 30, 2015 at Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville, Missouri. He was fighting cancer and winning the battle but his immune system was weakened by the chemotherapy. He succumbed to pneumonia. He was born and raised in Portland, Michigan. Bill was born on March 25, 1930, the oldest of six children. He was a proud veteran of United States Army, serving in the Korean War. Bill served in both Japan and Korea as a radio technician. He was honored to be able to go on an Honor flight to Washington D.C. in October 2015. He married Donna Koon on May 11, 1957. He spent his working years in Anaheim, California, where their only child, Kathleen, was raised. Bill worked his way up from an electronic engineer to the Department Manager of Foreign Programs at Hughes Aircraft Company. He retired from Hughes in 1984. They retired to Harrisonville, Missouri in 1989. After Donna passed away, Bill found love again with Kathleen Sechrest. They were married in 1997, where he quickly adapted to the country life in Holden, Missouri. Bill loved music and singing. He sang with a barbershop chorus and quartets in California. Once in Missouri, he started singing with the East Lynne Baptist Church choir, Garden City Community Choir and the Praise V gospel quartet. With his ever-growing faith, Bill became a Deacon at the church and a hospital chaplain at Cass Regional Medical Center. This was his calling and he ministered to sick for over 11 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Patrick and Emma Neva Sumner; brothers Edwin and Merle (Mike) Sumner; sister Francis Boswell and his first wife Donna. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Sechrest; daughter Kathleen Bennett (Randall); 6 step-children, Robert Sechrest (Karen), Roger Sechrest, Russell Sechrest (Melinda), Richard Sechrest (Leslie), John William Sechrest (Paula) and Susan Hayrynen (Sean); 18 step –grandchildren and 11 step-great grandchildren Bill will always be remembered for being an avid baseball fan (especially for the Kansas City Royals), his antique radios, love of music, smile, sense of humor and mischief and his devout faith in Christ. He did not know a stranger and is making new friends in Heaven as he rejoices in his Homecoming. God has called another angel home.

William "Bill" Ward Sumner

March 25, 1930 - May 30, 2015