Name: Viewing for WILLIAM J. "BILL" KEMP
Start: 2016-06-25T14:00:00.000Z
End: 2016-06-25T15:00:00.000Z
Location: Longview Funeral Home & Cemetery

William "Bill" J. Kemp, 69, of Grandview, passed on June 19, 2016. He was born to Woodrow "Woody" and Roberta Kemp of Winona, Kan. Bill was raised on a small farm in western Kansas. He graduated from Fort Hays State University where he was a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. He married Judy Anderson Kemp, his wife for 48 years, and moved to Grandview, Mo. Bill was an elementary physical education teacher for 33 years at Warford Elementary in Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Kemp was a beloved member of Hickman Mills School district and upon his retirement in 2001 they honored his service by dedicating the auditorium the "Bill Kemp Arena." Bill spent his retirement fishing for crappie and bass at Longview Lake and traveling to exotic locations with Judy and his children. He was an avid sports enthusiast and life- long Royals and Chiefs fan. He will always be remembered for his kindness and sense of humor and enjoyed telling jokes and stories. He was a beloved father and grandfather and survived by his wife, Judy Kemp, Grandview, his three children, Laurie Cox (Craig) of Topeka, Kan., Dusty Kemp (Keri), Birmingham, Ala., and Casey Kemp, Grandview, and grandchildren, Reid Fehr, Kylie Cox and Trent Cox of Topeka. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 25, at Longview Funeral Home and Cemetery, 12700 SE Raytown Rd, Kansas City MO 64149, there will be a viewing from 9:00 – 10:00 am, but not a formal visitation. Interment will follow in Longview Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested to: Warford Elementary's PTA in Mr. Kemp's name. Longview Funeral Home & Cemetery, (816) 761-6272, www.longviewfuneralhome.com

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Published by Kansas City Star on Jun. 23, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for WILLIAM KEMP

Sponsored by Kansas City Star.

12 Entries

Elaine Vaughn

June 17, 2024

I can´t believe how much time has passed by. My family and I miss you everyday.

October 17, 2016

July 2, 2016

Bill and I worked together for 27 years, sometimes sharing the gym space when we ran out of classroom space. I would teach music classes on the stage while gym classes went on behind the curtain. Bill enjoyed music and his classes would sing along with whatever we were singing on the stage. We made the best of what could have been a very unhappy situation. He was always patient with me when I was a "rookie" teacher. Judy and family, please accept my sympathy and condolences for your great loss.

Tracey Taylor

July 1, 2016

Mr Kemp was one of my favorite people I have had the pleasure of knowing. He was my gym teacher from 1976-1981. He was always xaring and looked after me since i was so bashful. He looked after the underdog He will be missed.

Kim (Taylor) Oliver

July 1, 2016

My brothers, sisters and I went to Warford in the 70's, early 80's. Mr Kemp was so kind yet pushed us when he knew we could do better! I'll always tell my kids, "Run THROUGH the finish line! Don"t slow down when you get there!", as he once told me. I apply that advice in all areas of life!! He will be missed by many!

Elaine Vaughn

June 30, 2016

All six of my children went to warford and had him as a gym teacher. They all loved to go to gym class because of him. My one favorite memory of him was when a young student wanted to get something out of the vending machine he asked politely what was the civil war like mr kemp ? He joked back do I really look that old to you ? If you think I'm from 1865 then maybe you are not that thirsty !!! Of course he let him get a drink anyway with a big smile on his face. I will forever miss that laugh that sense of humor! I know he was proud of all of you in his family !! Bless you

Mike Bracken

June 25, 2016

My gym teacher at Warford, my driver for Royals games in junior high. I got the tickets, we always took the van to Royals Stadium. He and I were out there the night of the flood. He probably saved my life telling my mom not to play football in junior high because I was too small. I'm glad he has a lasting legacy with the Bill Kemp Arena at Warford. He meant a lot to that school. Always think of him during a game. Wish the family my best.

Karen Hartzler

June 24, 2016

I was a student at Warford in the late 1960s and Mr. Kemp was one of my very favorite teachers, and PE was not something I would have liked otherwise. He was kind and fun; I still remember a picture taken with him on the last day of 6th grade in which he had on a goofy hat and ready to have a good time with the students. I wish I had kept in touch, who would have known I would still live in Grandview myself and would have liked to have told him "thank you" for reaching out to a shy student.

My sympathy to all his family.

Melissa Mitchell

June 23, 2016

Judy,
I was stunned when I learned of Bill's passing. I remember many fun years with Bill in the gym at Warford and the countless hours counting quarters from the vending machines!! My thoughts are with your family.
Melissa Mitchell

Dee Boucher

June 23, 2016

Bill & I would like to send our sympathy to the Kemp family. Our thoughts are with you at this time of loss. I enjoyed working with Bill many years ago.
Bill & Dee Boucher

Dee Boucher

June 23, 2016

Bill & I wish to give our sympathy to the Kemp family. Our thoughts are with you at this time of loss. I enjoyed working with Bill many years ago. Bill & Dee Boucher

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