Bill McCollum

Bill McCollum
November 28, 2021
Kansas City, Missouri - "Bill" Frank McCollum passed away peacefully at age 80 with family by his side. He grew up in Springfield, MO and studied history and politics at Wesleyan University. After graduating, he joined the Navy where he attended officer candidate school and became a Lieutenant, working as a pilot and trainer in the Navy's experimental Patrol Air Cushioned Vehicle (PACV) division. Bill served in Vietnam securing the Mekong Delta in one of the Navy's only four PACV's. After a year and half overseas, he returned home and attended law school at Duke University.
Affable, ethical, witty and wise, Bill quickly became a well-known fixture in the Kansas and Missouri legal communities. A natural born trial lawyer, Bill fought fiercely for his clients for over 4 decades, first as a civil litigator at Spencer Fane, then through several of his own firms, and finally at Slagel, Bernard & Gorman.
When not commanding the attention of a jury, Bill enthusiastically devoted himself to historical and medical causes such as the John Wornall House, Elmwood Cemetery and the Human Growth Foundation. He was also a devout long-distance runner, a fervent cheerleader of Duke basketball and brilliant amateur historian.
Bill was always charmed by even the smallest details in life, often more interested in asking questions of others rather than speaking about himself. Harboring an outsized sense of humor, Bill always enjoyed any ribbing that took him down a notch. In the end, even an 11-year bout with Alzheimer's could not wipe away his boisterous laugh, wry smile and youthful intuition.
Bill was a friend, mentor and counselor to many, but he will be most remembered as a devoted husband to Janice for over five decades, extraordinary father of two sons and a daughter, and doting grandfather of three beautiful grandchildren. He is predeceased by his brother.
In lieu of flowers, Bill and his family request donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association in his memory. You may do this online at www.alz.org, by phone (800) 272-3900 or by mail to: Alzheimer's Association PO Box 96011, Washington DC 20090-6011.
Services at a later date.