Bill Conley

CONLEY William J. "Bill", was called home to the Lord Jesus Christ, on Wednesday September 4, 2024, at KU Medical Center, in Kansas City, Kansas. Born November 6, 1955, in Ayer, Massachusetts to William C. and Norma Conley. Bill grew up on the world-famous Gibbet Hill Farm in Groton, Massachusetts managed by his father. As a youngster growing up Bill had a great passion for Angus cattle, ice hockey, baseball, cross-country running, and spending mischievous time with his buddies.
At the age of 16, Bill was named the champion showman of North America, at the 6th Annual National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) Showmanship Contest in 1972 held in conjunction with the All-American Angus Breeders Futurity at the Keeneland Racetrack in Lexington, Kentucky. Immediately following High School graduation, Bill arrived in Blue Springs, Missouri, at the doorsteps of Gayle Long at the Herdsman's Institute alongside Pat Scheer; Bill then traveled farther west to Manhattan Kansas where he attended K-State University, studying Animal Science, working in the Purebred Beef Unit, and working at Laflin Angus Ranch, Olsburg Kansas. Bill took one summer semester at Texas A&M, then moved to Briggs, Texas as the first herdsman at the illustrious R&J Ranch. In Bill's tenure at R&J Ranch, he was instrumental in creating a legacy of national championship banners and most notably many cattle exhibited on the Hill and in the Yards at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado; and receiving the American Angus Association Outstanding Herdsman of the Year in 1982.
In 1980 Bill served as one of the three judges at the NJAS Showmanship contest and from there Bill continued to evaluate cattle across the nation, across all breeds, over forty years Bill Conley was recognized as one of the best eyes for good solid functional cattle, and many times had to be told to slow down, because they could not get cattle to the make ready area fast enough! Bill never second-guessed his gut instincts, and he loved cattle that could move, his philosophy was function starts at the ground up.
Bill had the utmost respect for his father and heeded Bill Sr.'s wishes to maintain the cowherd's integrity and stay in the middle of the road, keeping everything in balance. The Conley family purchased acreage just east of the American Angus Association, during the time Bill Sr. served on the Board of Directors for six years and as President in 1985. As Gibbet Hill became constrained by a population surge, Clarksdale, Missouri became home to many of the Gibbet Hill matron female lines, GH Mignonne 702 produced many champions for Kyle Conley as well as her universally known son "BC Lookout 7024." Kori Conley showed CAF E Belle 405 as the 1996 NJAS Grand Champion Cow/Calf pair. In 2016, Trey Conley showed both Grand Champion Bred and Owned and Owned Mature Cow/-Calf pairs; descendants of the original Gibbet Hill matron "Belle of Malden". Bill was extremely proud that all three of his children qualified and honorably competed in the NJAS Showmanship contest. Kyle and Trey were both multiple recipients of the American Angus Auxiliary's Silver Pitcher award and in 2022 grandson Case Conley won his first silver pitcher! Genetics from the Conley program can be found working in many herds throughout the United States as well as around the world.
Bill's thirst for travel and adventure led him to work with and learn from the greatest of all time. Bill loved showing cattle; his hero was Jake White. Bill's lifelong friendships are far reaching and too numerous to ever count, he left his voice mailbox full on purpose but always answered his phone anytime someone called, he sincerely enjoyed long phone conversations with his closest friends and always had time to assist with any questions or concerns.
Bill's favorite part of the day was waking up before daylight and being the first one to the barn, his favorite pastime was watching the Kansas City Royals, Boston Bruins, the Kansas City Chiefs, and Professional Bull Riders.
Bill always carried a felt tip pen, wrote notes on his hands, looked everyone in the eye, and always kept his word. BC will be missed, he had a handshake that validated his sincerity beyond doubt, a genuine and contagious smile, and eyes that sought truth.
Bill is survived by his wife Donna who continues the legacy of Conley Angus and two sons Kyle of Oklahoma, and Trey of Missouri, a daughter Kori (Cole Simmons) of Kansas, three grandsons Case and Jack Conley of Oklahoma, Sutton Simmons of Kansas, one granddaughter, Sterling Simmons of Kansas, two brothers, Tim of Missouri, and Richard of Massachusetts, and a sister Barbara, of New York. Bill is preceded in death by his parents William C. and Norma Conley, of Groton, Massachusetts.
A Celebration of Bill's life will be held at Wagstaff Arena at 5:30 pm on Saturday, October 26th, 2024, at the American Royal Complex in Kansas City Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bill Conley Memorial Scholarship - directed to young breeders in the bred and owned division. Contact billconleyangus@gmail.-com for more information.