William E. "Bill" Linson Jr.

Linson, William E. Jr. "Bill," passed away, Friday, March 17, 2023.

Beloved husband of the late Sue Kathryn Linson (nee Howard). Stepfather of Scott (Sandy) Lencke, Robin (the late Matthew) Lemmons, Steven (Tammi) Lencke and Kristin (Jon) Kimerle. Father of Thaddeus Linson and Lori (James) Wolff. Grandfather of Jessica (Jeff) Sweeting, Grant (Holly) Lemmons, Blake (Brittney) Lemmons, Craig Lemmons, Joshua Lencke, Ryan Lencke, Kara Lencke, and twins Leah (Michael) Babcock and Joseph (Maddy) Kimerle. Great-grandfather of Ava Sweeting, Zeke, Luke, and Judah Lemmons, twins Ellie and Lucy Lemmons, and Lily Babcock. Son of the late William, Sr. and Myrle Linson (nee Hutson). Brother of Russell (the late Cathy) Linson, the late Barry (Teresa) Linson, Ray Joe Linson and the late Vern (Lynn) Eaton. Brother-in-law of Janet (the late James) Lunsford and the late Joseph Byron Howard. Dear friend of many.

Bill was born in 1939 in Hammond, Indiana and grew up in Attica, Indiana. He went to college at Indiana State University (ISU) in Terre Haute, where he earned a B.S. in Radio and Television and took his first radio job at WBOW, a top-40 rock & roll station. When he talked about this job or any of his jobs, the emphasis was always on the enduring friendships and the enjoyment that he had on the job. His gifts for writing and recounting stories, his deep love of sports, and a voice made for broadcast journalism, led him on to jobs in sports information, media, and administration. While in college, he started the Sports Information Office at ISU and worked in the Sports Information Department at Purdue University. He would always maintain his connection to sports journalism. He did color commentary for Ashland University football broadcasts and for radio broadcasts of the Indy 500 trials and USAC races. He also became a weekend sportscaster for WTVN-TV in Columbus, Ohio. Bill had been recruited to Columbus to work for the offices of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). During his time at the MAC, Bill became the conference’s Assistant Commissioner, and met, and married Sue, his wife of 41 years and the “light in his life.” As a loving and devoted stepfather, Bill, or “Beel” as he was lovingly known, found great joy in family time. He enjoyed recounting touching and/or humorous stories about family members and family friends. There was also lots of time spent on keeping up with and discussing his favorite sports teams and events.

In Columbus, Bill began working in hospital administration. At Grant Hospital in Columbus, he coordinated the development of the helicopter emergency response service known as Life Flight. At Samaritan Health System in Ashland, Ohio, Bill recruited many new physicians to the area. He was always quick to say that if any physician recruit brought his family to Ashland and they met Sue, her warmth and charm would “seal the deal.” It was also in Ashland that he became close friends with members of the model railroad community, and his passion for all things railroad really blossomed.

Bill took on leadership roles in his community and in the church. In Springfield, Missouri, he served as Lay Minister in the Wesley United Methodist Church and helped with men’s retreats. In Ashland, Bill and Sue worked tirelessly to launch the Johnny Appleseed outdoor drama. As a “side-project,” he and Sue also found time to be the tour guides for bus tours they arranged for “30 or so of their closest friends and family.”

In 2007, after Bill had retired from hospital administration, he and Sue decided to relocate from Ashland to St. Louis, near stepdaughter Kris and her family. They both wanted to have more time with their beloved grandchildren (and later great grandchildren). Since all the children and their families had settled somewhere along Interstate 70 from Columbus to Castle Rock, Colorado, St. Louis was a good central location. There was talk of “slowing down,” but Bill and Sue involved themselves in their typical fashion in their new community and church. They met and enjoyed a whole new group of cherished friends. Bill and Sue enjoyed more time traveling, and they took full advantage of the arts and entertainment options in St. Louis. As expected, Bill became an avid Cardinals fan and continued his work on his model railroad and with his hobby of watching and photographing trains. Bill eventually took on the role of VP of the National Model Railroad Association’s Gateway Division.

Services: Funeral service at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Friday, March 24, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. Interment Bethel Cemetery (Pond, MO). In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Evangelical Free Church Outreach Fund or Missouri Baptist Healthcare Foundation. Visitation Friday, March 24, 2023 from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service. Friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.

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