The family of William “Bill” Herbert Gepford wish to announce his Heavenly arrival on December 25, 2018 at the age of 73.
Bill was a faithful servant to his Lord and Savior and had strong ties to the First Baptist Church of Adrian, Missouri and the Capri Christian Church of Naples, Florida. Bill was most happy serving in many capacities for his churches over his lifetime.
William Herbert Gepford was born October 10, 1945, in Lorain, Ohio. His parents moved the family to Adrian, Missouri in 1952. “Bill“ and Cheryl Cummings were high school sweethearts who then began their 51 years together farming in Adrian, Missouri. Bill and Cheryl also opened the Bates County National Bank in Butler and Amoret, Missouri, which led them to move their family to Butler, Missouri. When Bill and Cheryl were ready to retire, they relocated to their current residency in Marco Island, Florida.
Bill had a magnetic personality, and he didn’t know a stranger. He had a knack of making anyone feel special and made sure he shared his love for the WORD with anyone. But he is best known for his parting sentiment of “Have a Blessed Day!” Bill was quite the prankster and loved to tease people and make them laugh. He even had an affinity for making up pet names for those he cared about. He really enjoyed sports and was a competitive person. He played in basketball and slowpitch softball leagues for years. He loved watching the Kansas City Royals even when he moved to Florida. Bill’s love of music was always clear as could be seen tapping his feet, moving his hands, and nodding to the beat. But his favorite type of music were hymns. His favorite hymn was “There is a Fountain”. He even participated in the choir with the Capri Christian Church. The following Bible verse was taped to the inside of Bill’s Bible, and the family is comforted in knowing that Bill did receive God’s mercy: Hebrews 4:16
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Bill is survived by his wife Cheryl of Marco Island, Fla; son, Shannon Gepford and wife Misti of Butler, Mo; daughter Karmin and husband Scott Ricker of Harrisonville, Mo; daughter Cherilyn and husband Aaron Widhalm of Pleasant Hill, Mo; sister Jan and husband Richard Gellender of Pittsburg, Ks; grandchildren Alyx Gepford, Mady Gepford, Ryenne Gepford, Taylor Ricker, Hailee Ricker, Trey Widhalm, and Abygail Widhalm; nephew Tad Gellender and niece Kourtney Misse. Bill joins his parents Herbert and Betty Gepford and grandson Cameron Widhalm in heaven.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you make a donation to one of the following:
Adrian First Baptist Church PO Box 125, Adrian, MO 64720
Capri Christian Church 111 E Hilo St, Naples, FL 34113 Lewey Body Dementia Association: https://www.lbda.org/donate
