Billy F. Summa

Billy Farrel Summa, 89, passed away Saturday, November 12, 2022, at the Villages of Jackson Creek Memory Care Center, Independence, MO.

Celebration of life for “Coach” Bill Summa
William Chrisman High School
1223 North Noland Road
Independence, MO 64050

9am-11am, Saturday April 8, 2023.

Please park at Ott School, 1525 North Noland Road, Independence, MO 64050.
Shuttle service provided.


Billy was born July 17, 1933, in Gentry, MO. He graduated from Albany High School, Albany, MO. He was also a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, and Southern Illinois University.

He met and married the love of his life, Margaret "Peggy" Carstens on February 27, 1958, and they were together for 61 years until her passing in 2019.

He was a veteran, serving in the United States Army from 1956-1958, in Fort Monmouth, NJ. During that time, he coached the backfield for the Army Post Football team. Bill was also a Mason.

Bill arrived in Independence in the fall of 1958, after accepting a position to teach Social Studies at William Chrisman High School. From 1958 until his retirement in 1988, he taught, coached football, cross country, and track. He was an assistant football coach, cross country coach, and Head Track Coach. Bill taught, mentored, and coached hundreds of student athletes during his career.

He was one of the founding coaches who started, and he continued to run the William Chrisman Relays, a track and field event held every spring at William Chrisman High School.
One of his proudest accomplishments was that the Bill Summa/William Chrisman Relays is the longest running high school track meet in the State of Missouri. The 61st Bill Summa/William Chrisman Relays will be held in April of 2023.

Bill and wife Peggy were able to attend track meets all over the world during his life including: The Kansas Relays, Drake Relays, Penn Relays, Summer Olympics in Montreal and Seoul.
After his retirement, Bill and Peggy divided their time between the Lake of the Ozarks and West Palm Beach Florida, making sure they were in Independence for the "Relays".
Bill volunteered his time and talents coaching Pole Vaulters at Versailles High School, Versailles, MO and Park Vista High School in Florida.

In 1992, he was honored to be inducted into the Missouri State Track and Field Hall of Fame. That same year he was honored at Northwest Missouri State University for being a member and playing on the 1956, Football Conference Championship team.
One of the proudest moments of his life was the retirement gift his track kids gave to him, a scholarship fund in he and Peggy's name that would provide funds for Chrisman student athletes to continue their post high school education. That fund continues and has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships.

He was loud, boisterous, opinionated, strong-willed but possessed a huge heart of gold. After moving to assisted care facilities there was always a constant stream of his "kids" dropping by to check on him!

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved wife, Peggy.

He is survived by his nephew, Scott (Karen) Vidas, of Vero Beach, FL, and his nieces, Pam Willis, Maryville, MO, and Ann (Michael) Rondo, West Palm Beach, FL.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Truman Heartland Community Foundation, Bill and Margaret Summa Scholarship Fund, 4200 Little Blue Parkway #340, Independence, MO 64057. Telephone, 816-836-8189