Ralph William "Bill" Gore

Ralph William "Bill" Gore, 96, of Pittsburg, KS passed away on January 16, 2026, at Via Christi Village in Pittsburg, Kansas.
Bill was born on August 13, 1929, to Ralph Gorrell Gore and Vaunita Grace (Stark) Gore in Carterville, Missouri. Bill graduated from College High School in 1947 where he played on the Kansas State Class B basketball championships 3rd place team. In 1950 he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1954. He married Wilma Jean Barber on August 16, 1953, at South Broadway Baptist Church in Pittsburg. She survives of the home.
Bill worked for Freeto Construction in Pittsburg, becoming successively a foreman, general manager and vice-president, preparing bids for, and supervising the completion of, street and highway projects in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. In July 1969, he moved to Independence, MO, where he commenced work as Superintendent of Streets, later becoming Director of Public Works Maintenance, for the City of Independence, the position from which he retired in 1993.
Bill loved growing tomatoes, starting plants from seeds germinated under grow lights in his basement work area, and then starting planting each year in early March using wall of water mini-greenhouses for his earliest individual tomato plants, with harvest continuing to the first frost. Hobbies also included coin collecting, woodworking and other home DIY projects, and, of course, Gorillas football, for which he and Wilma were long-time season ticket holders. Starting golf at age 40, he enjoyed playing almost into his 90s, achieving a hole in one at Four Oaks in 2002. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His sense of humor brought laughs and enjoyment to family, friends and all who knew him. He is a member of the Pittsburg Presbyterian Church and, formerly, the First Presbyterian Church in Independence, Missouri. He served as both a trustee and an elder.
In addition to his wife Wilma, he is survived by two sons, Ralph Gregory Gore of Salina, KS, Timothy Reid Gore of Belleville, IL; a daughter, Amy Burwell (Brad) of Springfield, MO; two grandchildren, Lauren Uhl (Joe) and Emily Weiss (Andrew); two great-grandchildren, Betty Uhl and Peter Weiss; and a brother, James C. Gore of Naples, FL.
He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother, John L. Gore, and two sisters, Virginia Katherine Foster and Mary Ann Grisham.
A visitation will be held on Friday, January 23th, 2026, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. A private graveside service will be held at Mt. Olive Abbey. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to The Presbyterian Church and Vetlinks.org. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS.