William Botkin

William (Bill) Botkin William Bill Ralph Botkin, age 76, of Centralia, Missouri, formerly of Topeka, Kansas died Tuesday March 25, 2015 after a 24 day stay at University Hospital and Clinics. He courageously battled an undiagnosed illness. Bill was born April 9, 1938, the son of Ralph Turner and Alberta Eisele Botkin. He married Georgia Geyer April 3, 1976 in Des Moines Iowa. He had two sons: William Michael (Mike) Botkin and Jeff Botkin from a previous marriage who he loved very much. Bill attended Centralia High School and graduated from the University of Missouri in 1961. He began work at Shelter Insurance as an adjuster and later began his career in the early days of Computer Programming. He moved to Topeka, Kansas in 1970 to work for Electronic Data Systems (EDS) as a project manager. In 1973 Billed moved to Des Moines, Iowa, still employed by EDS as a project manager at BCBS of Iowa. In 1975 he moved back to Topeka, Kansas to be near his sons and began working for Security Benefit Life where he became Assistant Vice President of EDP Systems and Programming. In 1986, Bill s dream of returning to Missouri came true when he and Georgia moved to a farm in Sturgeon, Missouri. He was employed at the University of Missouri as an IT Manager until his retirement. When Georgia retired they decided to sell the farm and move to his hometown of Centralia, Missouri in 2007. He enjoyed many happy years of retirement. He joined the Rotary Club of Centralia and made many great friends. He enjoyed running the concession at Centralia Panther Friday Night football games and Anchor Fest. Bill is survived by his wife of nearly 39 years, Georgia (Geyer) Botkin, of Centralia, Missouri; sons, William Michael (Mike) Botkin and wife Donna of Topeka, Kansas, Robert Jefferson (Jeff) Botkin of Topeka, Kansas; grandchildren, William (Cody) Botkin, Brett Botkin, Alyssa Botkin; one sister and brother-in-law, Delores and Jim Hudson; nephew, Todd Hudson and wife Nicole Hudson; great nieces, Sydney, Raegan and Gracie Hudson, all of Centalia, Missouri. Bill was well loved and will be missed by many. Services were held at Fenton Funeral Chapel, Centralia, Missouri on Saturday March 28, 2015 at 1:00 pm. Interment in Centalia Cemetery. Visitation from 11:30 till 1:00 pm service time. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rotary Club of Centralia or to Columbia Second Chance Animal Shelter at 24687 MO-179, Boonville, Missouri 65233. Bill Botkin