William Roy "Bill" Sappington Jr.

William Roy (Bill) Sappington, Jr. passed away December 15, 2025, at The Bluffs in Columbia.
He was born October 2, 1926, to William Roy Sappington and Susie Rachel Victoria Alexander.
He is survived by his son William Brent Sappington (Nina), daughter Nancy Sue Sappington, sister Dorothy Sue Jahger, niece Chris Mayhew, and nephew Paul Mayhew (Catherine).
His parents, wife Sharlyn Spragg Sappington, and niece Demetria Fishbeck preceded him in death.
Bill was a graduate of David H. Hickman High School (1944) and the University of Missouri (1950). He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity.
He married Sharlyn Spragg on August 7, 1948, and they graduated together from MU. Between Hickman and MU, he served in the Navy playing French horn in England during World War II and then later in San Diego during the Korean War. Upon his return to Columbia, he also played in the Stephens College Burrall Symphony Orchestra.
He was a devoted husband and father. His grandfather had started Central Dairy in Columbia and then moved to Jeff City to start it there. Bill became office manager, assisting his father until the Columbia dairy was sold. He sold insurance for Hardware Mutual Insurance for 3 years and then was hired as a District Sales Manager for MFA Insurance for the northeast 13 counties of Oklahoma. After 3 years, he returned to Columbia as a training supervisor and retired in 1990 from Shelter Insurance, the changed name.
He was deeply involved in the community, including the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Masonic Lodge, and the Little Dixie Kiwanis Club, of which he was a charter member. After retirement he volunteered with Meals on Wheels and was a board member and docent of the Boone County Historical Society, now the Boone County History and Culture Center. He was a member of the MU Alumni Association and also enjoyed serving as an official for MU Track and Field Events.
He was an avid golfer and a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs and MU athletics. He and Sharlyn were MU football season ticket holders for many years and also attended women's basketball games. He was an early adopter of jogging and at one time had 10 pairs of athletic shoes. Shelter honored him once as Healthy Employee of the Year. He was still a member of Wilson's Fitness when he died with a dedicated trainer visiting him at the Bluffs. He and Sharlyn also established a fund for students majoring in finance at the MU College of Business and were members of the Davenport Society, the Jefferson Club, and the Legacy Society and enjoyed attending university concerts and other cultural events.
He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church. In retirement, he and Sharlyn enjoyed traveling and took several cruises, the last from Miami to London to show her where he'd lived when he was stationed there. They also enjoyed their many years of Friday afternoon 'dates' at The Pasta Factory, even being featured in a Pasta Factory ad and having a special dish named after him.
The family sincerely thanks staff at The Bluffs, Compassus, Navigate Wellness, and Home Instead Senior Care for their caregiving and support.
He and Sharlyn had a series of wonderful dogs and contributions in his memory can be made to Second Chance, 13600 N Route E, Harrisburg, MO 65256.
Visitation is at 11:00am and funeral services at 12:00pm on Monday, December 29, 2025, at Parker-Millard Crematory and Funeral Services, 12 E. Ash St., Columbia, MO 65203.
Cremation services are provided by Parker-Millard and burial will be at Memorial Cemetery at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory, 12 East Ash Street, Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 449-4153. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com