William Robert Jr. Lingo

William (Bill) Robert Lingo, Jr., 83, of Independence, Missouri, passed away October 11, 2022 at The Groves Nursing Home. There will be a private memorial service for the family with burial at the Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery at Higginsville, Missouri, in the Spring.

Bill was born September 4, 1939, in Lynn, Arkansas, to William Robert Lingo and Beulah (Duncan) Lingo. He moved to Swifton, Arkansas, at the age of 6 and to the Kansas City area in 1967.

In 1959 Bill joined the U.S. Army and served his country as a cook for three years. In 1962, while stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, Bill met Charlyne Lewis, the sister of his friend and future brother-in-law, Bobbie Lewis. Three weeks later, on March 3, 1962, Bill and Charlyne began an incredible 60 year journey.

Bill was a career truck driver, driving for various companies, including Missouri Pacific, TG&Y, and Wintz Companies. He drove for 11 years with J.B. Hunt until he retired. Over his trucking career, Bill logged 4 million miles on the road.

One Thanksgiving, after their children were grown, Bill and Charlyne sat at their table and thought about all the homeless and lonely people who had nothing. The following year they started an annual Thanksgiving Dinner for the homeless and lonely, which in a few years expanded to delivering meals to shut-ins. The first dinner they served two people and the tradition grew each year. When they retired from the annual Thanksgiving Dinner after 20 years, they were serving over 300 meals.

Bill was a life-time member of Good Shepherd Community of Christ Congregation (formerly Ridgewood RLDS Church) and ordained Deacon. One of his passions was boy scouts. He began as a young cub master at Pack 334, Ridgewood RLDS Church, in 1973. He remained active in various capacities through 1980, until his son William R. Lingo, III attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He continued his support of scouting and proudly watched three grandsons attain the rank of Eagle Scout. He was an Honorary Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say and enjoyed summer camp with his son and grandsons.

Bill’s favorite hobby was buying and selling “junk” from garage sales and the flea market.   Everyone knew on Saturdays they would find Bill at the Swap and Shop. His motto was “I buy junk and sell antiques.”

The youngest of seven children, Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Robert and Beulah Lingo; brothers Joe Lingo, Tommy Lingo, and William Edward Lingo; sisters Juanita Crays and Vanita Slagley; and daughter-in-law Sheila Lingo. He is survived by his wife, Charlyne Lingo; sister Francis Decker; daughters Joy Freeland (Tim), Penny Browning (Mark), and Amy Toney (Jay); son William R. Lingo, III; 10 grandchildren; and 16 great grandchildren.

Bill will always be remembered as a devoted husband, father and friend, and creative seller of antiques. Donations can be made in Bill’s memory to the Scouting Program at Good Shepherd Community of Christ Church, 4341 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64133.