William H. Needels

William H “Bill” Needels age 84 of Olathe, Kansas went to be with his heavenly Father on July 9, 2025.

Bill, who was born and raised in Kansas City, MO, graduated from Southeast High School in the class of 1958. He received his bachelors from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO in 1962 where he was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity

He was employed by Northwest Missouri State University for five years before he took a position with the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Department of Justice in Kansas City. In 1978, he joined the Financial Management Service, U.S. Department of Treasury and retired as Deputy Regional Director on October 4, 1997 with thirty years of government service.

Bill held sacred his love and personal relationship with Christ Jesus and trusted Jesus for his life on earth and with his eternal destiny. He eagerly participated in and led Bible study so he could grow deeper in his faith. He also served God in his daily life and host of ways by volunteering to teach and serve both within and outside the church.

Bill was active in Boy Scouts, both as a scout and as a leader in the positions of cub master and scout master. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout and was a warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. He was also active in various sporting programs serving as coach for youth in baseball, softball and basketball. Since his retirement, he was an active volunteer in a number of organizations, including his church and his high school alumni association. Bill loved the Colorado Mountains, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and volunteering at the YMCA of the Rockies Snow Mountain Ranch. He had a strong faith in God and felt extra close to Him in the beauty of the mountains. He also was an avid bicyclist having ridden the full length of Katy Trail twice plus many other trails throughout the country. Serving his Lord and others and loving his family and grandchildren were his life’s focus.

Bill was preceded in death by his late wife Beverly who passed away April 27, 2000 after 38 years of marriage, and he was also preceded in death by his late wife Shirley Hamilton Needels, who passed away February 28, 2024, after 15 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his father and mother Homer C. and Frances B. Needels. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Craig and Mary Needels of San Antonio, TX, his grandson, Ty (Stacy) and great grandchildren Rhett Churchill and Maren of Lee’s Summit, MO; his granddaughter, Courtney (Jordan) Nelson and great grandchildren Kaydan and Austynn San Antonio, his daughter, Christie Mead, and grandchildren Mason (fiance’ Angel) and Madison of Overland Park, KS and his daughter and son-in-law Cindy and Darryl Bulson and grandchildren Abigail and Emma Kansas City, MO and sister Dr. Carolyn Copeland of Carthage, Texas. He also leaves his stepson, Craig Phillips of Olathe, KS and stepdaughter Joanna (Dale) Pitcher and step grandchildren Zach, Madison, and Bristol, Wichita, KS. eleven nephews and nieces, plus a number of cousins and dear friends.

Visitation will be held Sunday, July 13th at 3pm at College Church of the Nazarene, 2020 E. Sheridan, Olathe, KS 66062 followed by the funeral at 4pm at the church. Interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa, Kansas.