William (Bill) Griffith died Oct. 5, 2011 in Liberty, Missouri.
He was born in Grand Marais May 31, 1935. His father, Melvin (Griff) Griffith was at the time Cook County engineer. His mother Clela (Bunny) Griffith gave birth to Bill in a tourist cabin as Bill’s first home was not yet finished. This house built by Hedstrom Lumber Company is still standing, a little gem in a small town.
When Bill was four, the family moved to Moore, Minn., where Bill attended school, graduating from Mora High School in 1953. He then did university studies at UMD, majoring in accounting and sociology. He received his BA in 1957.
He met Katherine Ure (Kate) at UMD. They were married Aug. 24, 1957 and settled in Owatonna where Bill was employed by Federated Insurance Company. After one year in Owatonna he was asked to go out on the road.
Bill and Kate lived first in Kansas City, then in Manhattan, Kansas, then back to the Kansas City area where they lived in the suburban city of Liberty, remaining there until Bill’s death.
Bill and Kate purchased land from Ara Griffith Smith (Griff’s sister) in 1976 and in 1996, after Bill’s retirement from federated Insurance and Kate’s retirement from the faculty of William Jewell College in Liberty, they built their retirement home in Schroeder. Winters were spent in Liberty.
Bill was a member of the Liberty United Methodist Church, a very active member of the Fellowship of the Concerned in Liberty, and the Schroeder Area Historical Society where he was a board member. He helped in the development of the Cross River Heritage Center, where his woodworking skills can be seen in the Lundie Room and basement. He also helped Kate in the development of the gardens.
When in college Bill joined the Naval Reserve. He loved boats and enjoyed his cruises on Lakes Michigan and Superior, and on the Pacific Ocean out of San Diego. His last cruise was with Kate as they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by cruising the Danube River from Germany to the Black Sea.
Bill is survived by his wife Katherine; children Wendy Isley and Michael Griffith; grandchildren Lauren and Philip Isley; brother the Rev. Bruce Griffith; one niece and nephew and their families.
A memorial service for Bill will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 12 at Zoar Lutheran Church in Tofte. The family suggests no flowers be offered. Memorials are preferred to the Schroeder Area Historical Society and Birch Grove Community School.
Everyone enjoyed Bill’s smiles and cheerful attitude. He will always be remembered for his kindness.
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