Dr. William "Bill" Terrell

In Loving Memory of Dr. William "Bill" Terrell
March 10, 1936 – August 27, 2025
Dr. William "Bill" Terrell, a Wichita State professor of Economics for 32 years, passed away peacefully at his residence in Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of 89. Bill was loved and respected as a son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, friend and neighbor as well as a passionate educator.
With a humble upbringing in the small town of Hominy, Oklahoma, he attended a country school with indigenous children in Osage county. The adventures and joyful moments he shared with students who were different than him, taught him the importance of not discriminating against anyone. He remained connected to Hominy High School throughout his life.
He treasured his time at Oklahoma State, where he played in big bands and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. Bill was also a lifetime member of the academic fraternity Phi Kappa Phi. From there, he earned his BS in Economics and Spanish, an MS in Economics, and his Ph.D. at Vanderbilt University. He and Fay met at Yellowstone National Park in 1957 and recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.
Bill spent the majority of his career at Wichita State University as a professor of Economics. He was awarded a Fulbright scholarship and a sabbatical leave to live and teach at universities in Lima, Peru, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was elected Senate president of the Wichita State faculty.
Following his retirement from the university in 1999, he became a consultant in statistical quality control and testified as an expert witness in over 300 trials.
Bill enjoyed playing the piano and listening to music, particularly jazz and ragtime composers like Cole Porter and Scott Joplin. The classical composers he loved were Chopin, Beethoven and Liszt. His music legacy is evident through his children and grandchildren.
Bill enjoyed traveling with his young family across the United States and, later in life, traveling abroad with Fay.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed various activities, including swimming in the creek with his younger brother, reading, studying a multitude of subjects, writing research papers, and teaching Sunday school. In his later years, he enjoyed lunches with his fellow faculty members and friends, as well as spending time with his grandchildren.
A recurring theme throughout his life was his willingness to take risks, learn, and commit to his family. Bill summarized his life philosophy as, "It is never too late to take that first step towards growth in a new direction."
Chief among his good characteristics was his deep love and appreciation for his three daughters, his grandchildren, as well as his firm affection and love for Fay.
William "Bill" Theodore was preceded in death by; parents, Norma and Thurman Terrell, brother, Robert Terrell. He is survived by: wife, Fay Terrell; daughter, Jennifer (Salvador); granddaughter, Chiara; daughter, Sarah; granddaughter, Cleo; daughter, Susanna (Nathan); grandchildren, Ethan (Ally), Alaina and Oliver.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, 2:30 PM, September 20, 2025 at Heartland Cremation & Burial Society, 6113 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO 6413. Friends may visit from 2:00 – 2:30 PM prior to the service. We invite all who attend to consider wearing colorful clothing to honor Bill.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wichita State University for student scholarships in the School of Economics, follow link https://foundation.wichita.edu/memorials-honors/ or submit a check payable to: WSU Foundation and in the memo write: Bill Terrell Memorial and mail to: WSU Foundation, 1845 Fairmount Campus Box 2. Wichita, KS 67260-0002.