WILLIAM WEITKEMPER
5/27/1948 – 10/26/2025

 William Carl (Bill) Weitkemper was born on May 27, 1948, in Mexico, MO to Harry Richard and Jane Ann (Schindler) Weitkemper. He passed away on Sunday, October 26th at University Hospital surrounded by his wife and children. Bill was raised and attended school in Centralia, MO where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 90. His family moved to Columbia during his junior year where he graduated from Hickman High School in 1966.
 Bill married his wife Judy on June 6, 1981, and she survives. He also leaves behind the six children they shared and raised together: William Aaron Weitkemper, of Columbia; Lori Beth (Troy) Bruner of Wimberley, Texas; Jana Lea Weitkemper (Nathan Linzie) of Columbia; Deborah Rene (Matt) Penn of Tucson AZ; Nita Raye (Rick) McGraw of Kansas City; and Amy Danielle Belcher (Charlie Nevels) of Columbia.
 Bill is also survived by his three brothers, Mike, Harry, and Larry Weitkemper and his grandchildren Jack, Beckett, Cedar, Janaya, Levi, Jesse, Kate, Seth, Mary, Sabrina, Jacob, Gabby, Emma, and Allie, and his seven great-grandchildren, Luke, Beckett, Mara, Addie, Eden, Bryer and Tatum. Bill was preceded in death by his baby brother Richard, his parents Harry and Jane Weitkemper, his maternal grandparents Albert and Minerva Schindler, his paternal grandparents Harry Richard and Helen Weitkemper, his grandson Lucas, and his granddaughter Grace.
 Bill’s first job was working on his maternal grandfather’s (Popper’s) 1,000-acre farm north of Centralia, MO, at age 5. He enjoyed telling the story of how he started out opening bags of corn for Popper to put in the corn planter in 1953. His Popper paid him $1.00 an hour, a handsome wage for a 5-year-old. They also grew wheat, soybeans, and milo and raised 250 cattle, 600 hogs and 800 sheep annually. Bill loved his Popper and Bill had a special place in his Popper’s heart. Bill had his grandchildren and great-grandchildren call him Popper, a nod to his own beloved Popper.
 In August 1968 Bill went to work for Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company, as a draftsperson in Kansas City, MO. In February 1972 he went to work for Engineering Surveys and Services, owned by Jim Reed, as a draftsman/survey crew member, at Columbia, MO.
 In June 1975, he was hired by Ray Beck for a position with the City of Columbia where he worked until retirement in December of 2012, after 37.5 years. Bill spent over 36 of those years as Sanitary Sewer Maintenance Superintendent. Bill always remembered that the citizens of Columbia paid his salary, and he stood up for policies that were best for them. While working full-time for the City of Columbia, Bill also worked at Eastgate Apartments and Houses, where he managed 53 apartments and 9 houses. He was also a minority owner of that enterprise from Jan. 1, 1979, to Feb. 15, 2005.
 Bill’s biggest hobby was hunting. He especially loved his many trips with his hunting buddies to Canada, several times bringing home a big bear, and he loved hunting deer in Missouri with his grandson Jacob. He also loved traveling. While the children were young, they enjoyed driving from coast to coast, showing them our country. He and Judy were thankful they themselves didn’t wait until retirement to travel and enjoyed traveling the world with friends and family. After retirement, Bill and Judy enjoyed spending the coldest months in South Padre Island Texas with Jim & Jan Blue and Bill & Bev Burd. Bill was also a long-time member of the Elks Lodge of Columbia and the Cosmopolitan Luncheon Club of Columbia, where he and Judy were both active. As the children grew older, he and Judy purchased a house at the Lake of the Ozarks, where they spent many happy hours together enjoying time with family.
 Bill was a mix of the best of both of his parents. He had the headstrong, stubborn characteristics of his dad Harry (and of all his Weitkemper relatives in general) and the gentle spirit and empathy of the Schindler side of the family. Bill was an enduring champion of fairness and equality. This was true both in his personal life as well as his professional life.
Bill’s high school days in Centralia could be characterized as raucous at best. While focused on his studies and earning his Eagle Scout award, Bill still made time for some good old-fashioned mischief. He and his cousin Don Ingrum engaged in many shenanigans in those years, many of which we don’t, and probably shouldn’t, know the details.
 Bill lived a wonderful life; his greatest joy was Judy and his family (and Booche’s burgers). Despite living with Parkinson’s for nearly 25 years, Bill remained positive, never complaining or letting the condition limit his activities.
 Bill’s services will be at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70-West, Columbia, MO 65202, on Thursday, November 13th at 1:00 p.m. followed with a Celebration of Bill’s life. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group, 1311 Vintage Drive, Columbia, MO 65203
 The words of love and respect we could give this man could fill a library of books. He influenced every person he met in a different and remarkable way. He will be missed deeply.