William “Bill” J. Medaris
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Services for William Jean Medaris, 92, Eudora will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday December 4, 2017 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Bill passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at Medicalodges Eudora.
William was born on November 22, 1925 in Barry, Illinois the son of Thurman Daniel and Nina Don (Predmore) Medaris. Both preceded him in death.
William attended school in Hannibal, MO and graduated from Hannibal High School in 1944. William attended Hannibal LaGrange College and graduated in 1946.
William served in the Marine Corp from March 1944 to June 1946. During his service with the Marine Corp. he was involved in operations in Iwo Jima. At the end of WWII, William remained overseas and served in Japan for one year. William was discharged in June of 1946. At this time William joined the Missouri National Guard. William was discharged in 1949.
William joined the SS Kresge Company in St. Louis in 1946 and was in the manager training program. During that time, William served as an assistant manager. William left the SS Kresge Company and became manager for the T.H. Mayes stores in St. Louis. William married Betty L. Andrews in 1951 in St. Louis. A daughter, Muffy Jean was born in 1952. They divorced in 1956.
William returned to the SS Kresge Company in 1956. William became manager and served in this capacity in several different locations in the U.S. William transferred to Lawrence in 1971 to work at the K-Mart Distribution Center and retired in 1990.
William married Mamie Rassette in 1959. She passed away in 1989.
William is a past Commander of the American Legion, past President of High 12 and member of the VFW all in Lawrence. Member of the Masonic Lodge in Hannibal, MO, Scottish Rite and Order of the White Shrine in Lawrence, Abdallah Shrine in Kansas City, Order of the Amaranth, True Kindred of Kansas, and Royal Order of Scotland in Kansas City.
Survivors include his daughter, Muffy Jean Bailey and her husband, Dennis; two grandsons, Tim Willhite and his wife, Beth, Aaron Willhite; two great granddaughters, Corinne and Claire Willhite; all of St. Louis. Dearest friends of Susan Scannell and Teri Pierce. Becky and Kevin Harper, children Theresa and Craig. Peggy and Melvin Jones, children Jaleah and Jamie.
The family will greet friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 3, 2017 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Shriners Hospital for Children and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Online condolences may be posted at warrenmcelwain.com
12/1/2017
Bill was my supervisor at K-Mart Warehouse in Lawrence. He was the friendliest of guys and treated us with respect. He and Mamie entertained his employees at their house and in that basement family room complete with bar. He was proud of his “pub” for sure.
A devoted son to his mother as he looked after her in her later years.
I had gone to the auction at his house, but it was sometime ago. He had at the auction his bicycle from KMart..I wanted to buy it but was outbid…it was a good memory. All the supervisors had bike to ride around the building and check on “things” and “us”.
I would see him often after he retired and he would always ask about my parents even though he never met them. His family should know that about him..it was his character and it showed through with his care for his mother.
If there is a bike available in heaven, Bill with be riding on it and ringing his bell! Stopping and saying hello to everyone!
Uncle Bill came into our family in the late 1950’s. He was working at Kresge’s in Wichita, Ks where my mother-in-law worked as the Head Cashier. With the foresight of a true match-maker, she introduced him to our aunt Mamie and after a year or two of dating they were married 11 Oct 1959 in Wichita. A thirty year marriage ended with Mamie’s passing 19 January 1989. Bill and Mamie loved their life in Lawrence. Both were active in Masonic and VFW activities. A photo of them celebrating at a New Year’s Eve party appeared in the local Lawrence newspaper; Mamie with streamers and confetti swirling all around her, Bill looking up at her affectionately. Almost always at family gatherings, at the end of the day the playing cards came out and we all sat down to a game of Pitch. Bill and my husband always outbid the women. This was extremely frustrating to us as they bid without a good hand and still won. What fun we had! Bill also had a passion for hot dogs. Be it camping or on the patio, ‘dogs’ were always on the grille. As a teen, Bill was anxious to join the Marines, but they would not accept him due to his young age. Finally, with his mother’s permission and it being close to his 18th birthday, they accepted him at age 17. He was on Iwo Jima when the American flag was raised, but was not a part of that historic event. He loved serving his country; he was a true American Patriot. We miss him, but he will be forever in our hearts and the wonderful memories .