William Allin "Bill" Rankin

1935 - 2023

William (Bill) Allin Rankin, 87, Elkland, Missouri, was born

November 8, 1935 in Kansas City, Missouri to Paul William and

Elizabeth May (Allin) Rankin and departed this life for his Heavenly

Home to be reunited with his beloved wife of 60 years, Kyrita, on January 27, 2023 at the age of 87.

He was preceded in death by Kyrita in July 2021; his parents, Paul and (step-mother) Delphia Rankin; his mother, Elizabeth "Betty" Allin- Rankin-Nikkila-Poyser of Oregon; his brother, Robert "Bob" Rankin; his sister, Donna Rankin-Buck; a brother Johnny Poyser. Bill is survived by his children, Alan (Lisa) Rankin of Springfield, Missouri, Michael Rankin of Elkland, Missouri, William Rankin (significant other Melissa Walden) of Studybutte, Texas, Shelly Rankin of Marshfield Missouri, Valerie (Jerry) Letterman of Conway, Missouri; daughter-in-law Diane Rankin of Conway, Missouri, his Grand-children , Samuel Rankin, Alison Rankin, Jacob Rankin, Jennifer (Jason) Stoddard, Robyn (Luke) Edwards; Great-Grand- children, Ansley Rankin, Haley (Mason) McKeel, Devon Stoddard, John Stoddard, Riley Edwards, Kayla Edwards; Bill's sister, Judy Hawley of Independence, MO; his brother-in-law, Ed Buck of Holton KS; nine brothers and sisters-in-law surviving Kyrita; and Bill's and Judy's siblings in Oregon and Washington and Calgary: Mary Stovin, Richard Nikkila, Peggy Nikkila and Patty Nikkila; numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, family and friends.

Bill was a faithful and valued Board Member of Elkland Independent Methodist Church, with a special emphasis on a Bible Ministry and Phone Ministry to the church's and Elkland Community Seniors. Bill began his career as an outstanding shoe salesman in Kansas City at Emery, Bird, Thayer and sold shoes to Bess and Margaret Truman. He spent a year in the Louisiana State Guard, when he took his family there, then to Portland Oregon, and San Diego, California, where he worked for both Hotel Dell Coronado and later General Dynamics, in Human Resources and as a Union Representative.

Bill enjoyed tinkering with vehicles, and for a few years had a Foreign Auto Repair Shop. Bill had a number of health issues from a young age… in fact he wasn't expected to live past the age of 14. When Bill "retired" and moved his family back to Missouri in the early '80's, settling in Elkland, he became involved in the community, working as a janitor for the Marshfield schools, and later ran a Pool Hall in Marshfield. Some might remember his beautiful voice… when he was young he won awards. When he was older his church family enjoyed hearing him. We are sure he is a great addition to the Heavenly Choir. We are also certain Mom was awaiting his embrace. A Family Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date in Conway, Missouri. Memorial donations may be sent to Elkland Independent Methodist Church for Bible Ministry. Online condolences may be made at www.dayfh.com