WILLIAM RALPH VENABLE Jr.

1930 - 2013 Dad passed away peacefully January 1, 2013, at his home. He had enjoyed the holidays with his family. The son of William Ralph, Sr. and Anna Josephine Larkowski, was born at Providence Hospital in Kansas City, Kan., grew up in Kansas City, Kansas and had lived in Overland Park since 1961. He attended St. Rose of Lima School grade school and graduated from Bishop Ward High School in 1948. He attended St. Benedict's College in Atchison, Kan., served in the U.S. Air Force in Europe during the Korean War, and graduated from Rockhurst College with a degree in business in 1959. Bill also attended the Kansas City School of Law, where he was a member of Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society. He had intended a career in professional baseball and signed a contract with the Cincinnati Reds but suffered a shoulder injury that ended his pitching days. Fortunately he was also pitching for a corporate team at Western Electric, where he went on in management for 37 years and retired as a department chief at the Lee's Summit Plant. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 51 years, Kathleen L. (Krivas) Venable, and an infant daughter, Mary. He is survived by his five children and their families, son, William R. Venable III, wife Kathy and children Jesse, Melissa and Kristina Hagan; daughter, Kathleen Ann Wagner, husband David and children Laura, Elizabeth and Robert; daughter, Virginia Suzanne Kalnasi, husband Steve and children Kristin, Kelsey and Kara; daughter Jane Elizabeth Williams, husband Scott and children Whitney, Madison and Halle; his great grandson, Jackson Ubben; son, Robert J. Venable, wife Heather and daughter Victoria; and his brother-in-law, John J. Krivas. Bill was active in the support of all of his children in their athletic, civic, and social activities. He was a basketball coach in CYO at Cure of Ars' and Great American for the boys and JCGAA Softball for the girls. He also spent many years bowling with Kathleen and the kids in leagues and tournaments. He was very active in the community as a member of the Rockhurst High School Father's Club, Parents of Miege High School, Cub Scout Master at Troop 3395, and the Bishop Ward High School Alumni Association. Over the years Bill and Kathleen enjoyed frequent trips to the horse races at Ak-Sar-Ben, watching KU Basketball, and keeping up with all of their children and families. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, at McGilley State Line Chapel where the Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, at Queen of the Holy Rosary with burial following in Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Kathleen Krivas Venable Scholarship at Bishop Ward High School in Dad's honor. Condolences may be left online at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com. M