Billie Buel Harper

A Celebration of Life funeral service for Billie Buel “Bill” Harper, 96, of Warrensburg, MO, was held Monday, April 10, 2023, at Johnson Funeral Chapel in Sperry, OK with Reba R. Robertson officiating. Burial was in Rest Haven Cemetery in Sperry, OK with Cliff Borgstadt officiating. Military honors were given by the VFW District 5 Honor Guard of Skiatook, OK. Casket bearers were Cliff Borgstadt, Clint Borgstadt, Eric Davis, Erin Davis, Hannah Borgstadt and Lindsey Clinton. Honorary Casket bearers were Von Robertson, Beckham Davis, Bennett Davis, Evan Clinton, Landon Borgstadt, Levi Borgstadt, and Olivia Clinton.

Bill was born February 8, 1927, the youngest of 7 children in Sperry, OK, to Simon Harper and Maggie (Crider) Harper. Bill passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO, with a Final Salute by the home to honor and celebrate his life as a veteran of World War II. 

Bill was proud of his Native American heritage and was listed on the roles as a minority 1/4th Cherokee Indian. He received his high school diploma from Tulsa Central High School in May 1945. Two days before his 18th birthday, on February 6, 1945, Bill enlisted for military service in the US Coast Guard. Bill was a proud WWII veteran serving as an Apprentice Seaman, Seaman Second Class, and a Coxswain with an honorable discharge on April 30, 1946.  During his enlisted year, Bill traveled to the Mariana Islands on the USS Leonard Wood, steering a LCVP for a successful invasion of the Island along with 3,000 army troops. Years later, he was privileged to participate in the May 3, 2016, Heartland Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Upon returning from war, Bill completed his two-year degree from Graceland College in Lamoni, IA, then attended part time at the University of Tulsa and the University of Missouri at Kansas City receiving his BS in Behavioral Science (Psychology) in the Spring of 1965. During this time, Bill continued his love for running as a youth by running with the track teams at Graceland College and the University of Tulsa. In 1978, Bill received his master’s degree in Personnel Management. Bill married Martha Brewer on September 10, 1949, and they were blessed with three daughters – Lora, Cindy, and Reba. Later, he married Nancy Barrett, and together, in November 1981, they fulfilled one of their dreams buying a cabin and one acre in Nederland, CO, getting a real taste of cold mountain weather. Years later, Bill would build a new home next to the one he originally purchased and make it his personal home location enjoying many, many years of mountain relaxation. Bill was employed as a Senior Management Development Specialist for the Bendix Corporation (Honeywell), February 8, 1955, in Kansas City, MO, retiring on August 1, 1983. Bill was committed to the concept of upward mobility for women in the workforce and spent a lot of his business time training and working with women in their pursuit for equality in business. But most of all he loved spending time with his family, going to church, expanding his collection of church library books, and always keeping busy with home improvements, continuing his love for running and experiencing the challenge and excitement of triathlons and mountain skiing in his mid-life years. He also served as an Elder in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, now known as Community of Christ, in Raytown, MO, enjoying the fellowship and support of the Saints as he served with an “eye single to the glory of God”. Bill felt honored to serve as a minister, particularly given the responsibilities as a Bishop Agent in charge of the church’s finances. He was a faithful follower, a strong Fatherly presence in his family, and a committed worker and servant in all facets of his life. When Bill entered the Kingdom of God, we are sure he was greeted with a smile and these words – "Well done, my good and faithful servant.” 

He is survived by his children, Lora Borgstadt and husband, Cliff, Cindy Crotty and husband, Mike, and Reba Robertson; grandchildren, Lindsey Clinton, Clint Borgstadt and wife, Jennifer, Eric Davis and wife, Kim, Erin Davis and husband, Pat, and Von Robertson; great-grandchildren, Hannah Borgstadt, Levi Borgstadt, Landon Borgstadt, Olivia Clinton, Evan Clinton, Bennett Davis and Beckham Davis; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, and sisters.

The family would like to thank the Missouri Veterans Home for their compassionate care throughout the years for Billie, as they called him.

Arrangements and services were entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home, Sperry.

Online condolences to the family can be made at johnsonsperry.com.