Sr. William James Vandenberg

William James Vandenberg, Sr., 102, passed away March 29, 2021. Bill was born, raised, and lived his entire life in Kansas City. He graduated from Shawnee Mission Rural High School in 1936 and worked his entire career in the railroad industry as a ticket agent at the Union Station. He was very active in the Kansas City Area Council of Boy Scouts and the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Also he participated in the Methodist church all his adult life and had his membership at One Spirit United Methodist Church. William received the commendation for 70 years of membership in the Masonic Grandview and Belton Lodge.  He lived the last 17 years at Brookdale Wornall Place in Independent Living where his zest for life created many friends of both residents and staff.

William was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Frances (Heying) Vandenberg and son William James Vandenberg, Jr. Survivors include his daughter Dorothy Semmens; daughter in law Mariann Herndon Vandenberg; grandchildren: William “Will” James Vandenberg, III, John Vandenberg, Hans Kahler, and Jason Kahler, great grandchildren: Emily and Ethan Kahler; and his nieces Peggy Sue Gentry and JoAnn Barringhaus. Mary Fristad Anderson of Bergen, Norway, an AFS student from 1960/61, lived with the family.

Visitation will be 6-7PM, Monday, April 5 at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Rd., Kansas City, MO. Services and burial in Memorial Park Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Racing Iron Horse Endowment through the Kansas City Area Council of Boy Scouts.

Visitation will be 6-7PM, Monday, April 5 at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Rd., Kansas City, MO. Services and burial in Memorial Park Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Racing Iron Horse Endowment through the Kansas City Area Council of Boy Scouts.