William "Bill" Gradinger

William "Bill" Gradinger passed away peacefully in the morning hours of August 29th, 2024, at age of 80. 

He was born the eldest son to parents Harrison "Gale" Gradinger and Shirley Bell Saunders Gradinger in Pittsburg, KS on Sept. 27th, 1943. After he, his parents, and younger brother Rich moved to Kansas City, KS, Bill graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School. He pursued higher education at the University of Kansas, where he graduated with a BA in Industrial Administration. Bill was also a dedicated member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and an active participant in the Air Force ROTC during his college years. 

Upon his graduation from KU in 1967, Bill proudly accepted his Air Force commission and was stationed at Reece Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas as a member of the USAF Flight School Class 698A. After earning his wings, his skill and proclivity for aviation led him to become a T-38 instructor pilot, spending three years at Reece AFB before being stationed at the Columbus AFB for his remaining two years of service. Bill's time in the Air Force also took him around the world as an F-5 delivery pilot, ferrying aircraft on a global scale.

Bill's sons were born between 1969 and 1975, Brett Gradinger, b. 1969, in Lubbock, TX, Jeff Gradinger, b. 1971, in Columbus, MS, and Joel Gradinger, b. 1975, in Kansas City, MO. 

After concluding his Air Force service, Bill and his family returned to Kansas City, where he joined Golden Star Inc. as a part of the third generation of Gradingers to do so, alongside his cousins. Over the next 46 years, Bill worked tirelessly to support his family and legacy, finally retiring from his position of Executive Vice President of Golden Star in 2019, and continued to serve on the Board Of Directors until his passing. 

Bill was a devoted father, a proud grandfather, and a true friend to many. It is difficult to parse his passions down to a few sentences, but among them, almost chiefly behind family, was golfing. He had a particularly inventive mind, and could build or fix almost anything. He was an adventurer at heart, and his love for travel was boundless. Among his other passions, he had a deep fondness for trains, his Austin-Healey, and being on the water, whether it be at Weatherby Lake, Lake of the Ozarks or the west coast. 

He is survived by his significant other, Joyce McInerney, his brother and sister-in-law: Richard and Sherry Gradinger, his sons and their spouses: Brett Gradinger, Jeffrey and Kelli Gradinger, and Joel and Lisa Gradinger, his grandchildren: Madelaine Gradinger, Cassidy Gradinger, Maxwell Gradinger, and Zachary Gradinger, in addition to several cousins, two nieces and a nephew. 

There will be a Celebration of Life held at the National Golf Course of Kansas City on September 23rd, from 5:30 - 8:00 PM. 

Additional services to be held at St. Michaels are still being planned for a later date.