William Norris
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Obituary for William R. "Bill" Norris Jr.

William Russell Norris, Jr. was born to his father – William “Russell” Norris, Sr. and mother - Mary Elma Bowin, on Sept 5, 1926, in Greenwood, MO. His older sister, Dorothy (Norris) Gibson fondly remembered Bill as the “best gift I ever received!” when she spoke about his impact on her life.

William was known to his friends and family as Bill – because he did not want to be called “Junior” and his Dad was already called Russell. He died, Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at Adrian Manor in Adrian, Mo. He enjoyed a long and wonderful life, and his memory will be enjoyed by many. Someone once said – “Bill never made an enemy and I never heard anyone say a negative thing about him.” That may be the best way to summarize his life’s accomplishments.

Bill was always a hard worker – and one of his first jobs involved taking water to the threshing crews that worked on his family’s farm. This took place at a time when the crock jugs of water were too heavy for Bill’s 7-year-old self to lift onto his pony. Sister Dorothy had to help with that sometimes. He worked on the family farm until he graduated High School at the age of 17 and joined the Navy. Bill spent the next several months on the U.S.S. Bowie while it traveled the Pacific Ocean transporting American troops to areas of conflict. He saw many things (not all of them good), and he always wanted to return to Missouri – the place where he was born. When Bill was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Radioman 3rd Class – he returned to the family farm in Lee’s Summit, MO.

Bill met his future bride, Norma Vivian Chaney, through the efforts of her sister, Ruth, and Bill’s good friend, Cork Wright. This foursome remained best buddies until late in life. Bill and Norma were married on June 6, 1949, and they experienced all of life’s joys and sorrows over the 67 years of their union. They were blessed with the births of 3 daughters and 1 son – and Bill’s descendants grew over the years to include: 11 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 6 great, great grandchildren!! There were many others brought into the fold over the years – maybe not related by strictest accounting, but loved and accepted regardless.

During his young adulthood, Bill drove a fuel truck for Freeman Necessary and Mobil Oil until he became a partner in the ownership of the Summit Oil Service Station in Lee’s Summit, MO. In 1963, he bought land in Elm Springs, MO, where he built a home and became an independent farmer raising cattle, hogs and row crops. He was marvelously successful at his chosen profession and later in life was well known as a local authority on fescue and red-clover for farmers throughout the area. In addition, Bill served on the Water Board for the Johnson County Public Water Supply District No. 2 as a founding member from 1985-1993.

In 2005, when his years of farming were done, Bill and Norma moved to a retirement duplex in Adrian, MO, which was close to their oldest daughter Sharon. During their early years in Adrian, Bill spent his spare time as a free taxi driver giving rides to folks who could not drive. He and Norma maintained a weekly game of Pitch with longtime partners, Ruth and Cork Wright. It was always Bill’s goal to stay busy and to help others wherever help was needed.

Anyone who knew Bill Norris knew that he loved sports, he loved fishing and he loved the beauty of nature. These were passions that he shared freely and for which he never grew tired. Whenever he visited his daughters and grandchildren in Washington State, he rose early enough each morning to see if Mount Rainier was out because he found the sight inspiring – every time. He never lost his enthusiasm, wonder or curiosity about life’s mysteries and yet he was a simple man who needed very little to be happy. He was a man of integrity – his handshake was binding – and his smile was unfailing.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, mother and older sister, Dorothy. He is survived and will be sorely missed by his wife, Norma, daughters, Sharon (Kenneth) Hunter, Adrian, Mo.; Susan (Mike) McMillen, Holden, Mo.; Sara (Jeff) Wright, Seattle, Wa.; and son, Marty (Julie) Norris, Holden, Mo. In loving memory, his family will continue to “keep their chins up and the forked end down”.

A visitation will be held at Langsford Funeral Home in Lee’s Summit, Missouri on February 18, 2017 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the caring, compassionate organization of Crossroads Hospice, 10810 E. 45th St, Suite 300, Tulsa, OK 74146 or as an online donation at https://crhcf.org/Donate/.

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