William B. “Bill” Clawson

WILLIAM BLAND “Bill” CLAWSON

William Bland “Bill” Clawson was born December 14, 1930 in Strasburg, Missouri and departed this life on November 13, 2025 at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri, surrounded by the love of his family, at the age of 94 years, 10 months and 30 days.

He was the son of Parks Bland and Nettie Maude (Moore) Clawson.

Bill spent his younger years in Strasburg, graduating as Valedictorian from Strasburg High School in 1948. After graduation he attended Central Missouri State College on a scholarship. Unfortunately, Bill had to give up his education to return home to help his family on the farm.

In 1951, Bill left the family farm and went to work for Bendix and attended school at night. Later that same year he joined the United States Air Force and proudly served his country from November 16, 1951 to November 15, 1955. After his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Bill came back to Pleasant Hill, Missouri and returned to work at Bendix where he worked for an additional 18 years as a machinist. From there, for the next 28 years, he worked for J. R. Prewitt & Sons Manufacturing as supervisor of production, which eventually led him to RB Industries in Harrisonville, Missouri as plant manager where he worked until his retirement.

On July 5, 1959, Bill was united in marriage with the love of his life, Barbara Celeste Wright, at the First Christian Church in Harrisonville, Missouri. After their marriage they made their home in Pleasant Hill. Mrs. Barbara Clawson preceded Bill in death on July 4, 2023.

Bill and Barbara loved to travel to different places throughout the United States. They also looked forward to attending Bill’s Air Force reunions, every two years, in different parts of the country such as Las Vegas, Nevada, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, San Antonio, Texas, St. Louis, Missouri and several in Colorado. In his younger years, Bill enjoyed quail hunting.

Bill was a long-time member of the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church. He was also a life member of V.F.W. Post #3118, a Past Master and 67-year member of Jewel Lodge #480 AF & AM and a member of Wyoming Chapter #43 RAM all of Pleasant Hill.

Bill wanted this statement included in his obituary, “I have had a good life and I appreciated it.”

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Celeste Clawson; his parents, Parks Bland and Nettie Maude Clawson and, brother, Robert “Bob” Clawson.

He is survived by two sisters-in-law, Judy Todd and husband Mike of Harrisonville, Missouri and Samantha Johnson of Palm Desert, California; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Visitation for William Bland “Bill” Clawson will be from 10:00 – 11:30 A.M. Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at the Wallace Funeral Home. A Masonic Service will be held at 11:30 A.M. Funeral Service is at 12:00 Noon with Rev. James Stanfield-Myers officiating. Casket Bearers will by Steve Wright, Clint Quinn, Ronnie Parris, Ron Gibbons, Robert Player and Kevin Wright. Honorary Bearers are James Robins, Charlie Shimel and Craig Jones. Interment will follow in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery with Full Military Honors conducted by the United States Air Force and V.F.W. Post #3118 Honor Guard of Pleasant Hill.

Contributions are suggested to V.F.W. Post #3118 of Pleasant Hill, Missouri or Kansas City Hospice House and may be left at the funeral home.