William W. Erdman, son of Fred and Velma (Lewis) Erdman, was born at the family home near Langdon, Missouri, on February 2, 1937. Bill passed away February 10, 2022, at his home in Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of 85. 

Bill’s early education began in Langdon’s one-room school. Midway through his freshman year at Rock Port High School, the family moved to a farm near Tarkio, Missouri. Bill graduated from Tarkio High School in 1955. He attended Tarkio College until the opportunity to begin farming on his own presented itself.

Bill’s faith journey began at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Langdon, with his early baptism and confirmation in 1952. As an adult, he taught Sunday school and served as Sunday school superintendent. 

On September 5, 1964, Bill married Katherine C. Logan at McMurry Methodist Church, Kansas City, Missouri. Together they continued farming and welcomed a son, Jonathan Stacey, and a daughter, Melissa Arianne, to complete their family. 

In 2006 Bill retired after 50 years of farming. He and Katherine enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad. Until COVID, they had spent 38 winters on the island of Maui. Bill was involved in many ways with their church there, Emmanuel Lutheran Church and School. Once a farmer, always a farmer – Bill would be the first to arrive for the weekly lawn and church beautification projects. Since he was always early and ready to begin working, the committee provided him with his own key to the tool shed!

Bill enjoyed participating in car shows and tractor pulls, fishing, watching Chiefs football and running. He completed several marathons on Maui, even qualifying for the Boston Marathon. When Bill was no longer able to be out walking, he greeted his neighbors with a smile and a wave from his TV room window.

Bill is survived by Katherine, his wife of 57 years; daughter, Melissa Graybill, and husband, Scott; grandson, Logan Lee Graybill; granddaughters, Layke Annalise Graybill and Emerson Katherine Graybill; sister-in-law, Samantha McBride, and husband, Bryce. Preceding Bill to heaven were his parents, Fred and Velma Erdman, and sons, Michael William, and Jonathan Stacey.

Graveside services are being planned for a later date. Memorials may be directed to Good Shepherd Hospice, 115 W. Atlantic St., Branson, MO 65616.