William L. Wagenknecht

William Lynn “Bill” Wagenknecht, 57, of Smithton, passed away Sunday evening, January 4, 2015, at his mother’s home in Smithton.

He was born January 13, 1957, in Kansas City, MO, son of M. Lynn and Patty Callis Wagenknecht.

Bill grew up on a small hog farm east of Sedalia. He was a 1975 graduate of Smithton High School and attended the ag program at State Fair Community College. When he was 18 he began farming. His life was raising hogs and cattle. In 1978, he was married to Tracey Corbett and they had three children.

He was a member of Smithton United Methodist Church, where he was baptized. He spent his free time going to auctions, collecting antiques, riding horses, barrel racing, hunting deer, riding dirt bikes and going to tractor pulls. He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and Whitetails Unlimited. Bill will be remembered as a man who would do anything to help anybody. He had a big heart.

Surviving are three children, Candice Wagenknecht, James Wagenknecht (Kelli), and Chad Wagenknecht, all of Smithton; his mother, Patty Wagenknecht, of Smithton; and his sister, Ann Wilson, of Knob Noster.

He was preceded in death by his father; and his grandparents.

Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2015, at Heckart Funeral Home, with the Rev. Jason Veale officiating.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Private burial will be in Smithton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Whitetail Youth Hunt, Smithton Boys and Girls Club, or Smithton United Methodist Church.