WILLIAM R. PIGGOTT

 

  CLASS OF 1943

OCTOBER 12, 1925 - MAY 14, 2007

William (Bill) Richard Piggott was born October 12, 1925 in Osawatomie, Kansas, to Sherman Otis & Hazel Phares Piggott. Bill, (as he preferred to be called), and passed away May 14, 2007 at Overland Park Regional Hospital as a result of an Aortic Aneurism. Bill is survived by his wife Mary, his son Jim, his daughter Janie, and his stepdaughters Barbara, Susie, Sherry and Sue, his grandchildren Jennifer and Mathew and his step grandchildren August, Christopher, Nicholas, Bethany and Arthur and numerous nieces and nephews. Bill's brother and sister preceded him in death.

Bill was an Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow. He graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1943 then went on to serve in the US Coast Guard during WWII. While in the US Coast Guard Bill served on the USS Oconee, (a Tanker), from its commissioning on January 12th, 1945 until the ship was decommissioned March 28th, 1946. The ship served in the Pacific Theatre during the war and was present for the Invasion of Okinawa. Upon leaving the service, Bill attended the University of Kansas where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1950. After graduation Bill went to work for the Missouri Pacific Rail Road. After several years, Bill left the Missouri Pacific Rail Road Shops to be a Life Insurance Agent with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. In 1961 Bill left Metropolitan Life to become a field agent with the United States Government Social Security Administration. Bill retired from government service in 1985. Bill enjoyed his retirement years even though he contracted End Stage Renal Disease as a result of a cardiac procedure in 1995 and had to endure Dialysis Treatment 3 times a week. Bill was always kind and friendly with those he met and associated with and gave much of his time to service others with meals on wheels and other activities that reached out to others. His love, kindness, charity and sense of humor were a blessing to all who knew him. He truly enjoyed being with his friends and loving family. He will be dearly missed by all of us! God Bless and Keep You Bill!

Graveside services 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, May 16 at Osawatomie Cemetery, with full military honors. Visitation 7-8 P.M., Tuesday, May 15 at McGilley & Hoge Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, 913-6423565.

 

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