William Neal  "Bill" Monson

Major William (Bill) Neal Monson, USAF, retired, passed away at the age of 95 on February 12, 2017, in Raymore, Missouri, after an extended illness. Visitation will be from 10-11am Thursday, February 16, 2016 at First Baptist Church of Grandview 1416 Main Street Grandview, MO 64030. Funeral services will follow at 1pm at the church. Burial with full Military Honors will take place in Longview Memorial Gardens, He was born in Hale, Missouri, on October 16, 1921, to Elmer Victor Monson and Laura Maria Monson. Bill dedicated his life to serving others, both in the military and in civilian life. He was active as an adult leader in the Boy Scouts for over 50 years and was honored as a Medicine Man in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say as well as earning the Silver Beaver award from the national organization. He was also an officer of the Grandview Lions Club and a member of the VFW in Grandview. He was named as Grandview's Citizen of the Year in 1996. Bill served in the North Africa Ferrying Division (NAFD) of Air Transport Command during World War II and in the Air Force Reserves after the war. Before retiring, Bill was a computer systems analyst for TWA and Old American Insurance and a member of the Data Processing Management Association in Kansas City. A committed Christian his entire adult life, he was a member of the First Baptist Church of Grandview, serving for many years as a deacon and treasurer, but is perhaps best remembered for his service to the youth of the church, where he helped care for the youngest members of the congregation in the church nursery for almost fifty years. Bill leaves behind his wife of over 70 years, Jewell Blanche (Raker) Monson of Raymore, sister Ruth Carter of Wichita, children Victor Monson and wife Kathryn, Linda Ellis and husband Jeremy, Donald Monson and wife Mary, and Anita McReynolds and husband Jim; grandchildren Nathan Ellis, Nolan Ellis, Kate Hoops, Erin Benson, and Nick McReynolds; great-grandchildren Jett Ellis, Simon Hoops, Andi Ellis, Cecilia Hoops, and Elliot Hoops. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, two sisters, and one grandson, Ryan Monson.