William Edwin Griffith III

William E. Griffith III (Bill) passed away June 28, 2023, at the age of 89. He was born on January 29, 1934, to William and Elene Griffith and was raised in Kansas City. He attended Shawnee Mission High School. In 1956, he received his degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.

He met the love of his life in high school and dated Marcia Ann Muehlbach all through high school and college before they married on December 15, 1956. They began their journey through life together with a driving honeymoon to Cancun Mexico returning to begin Bill’s service as a navigator and Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Air Force life took Bill to San Antonio, TX, Salina, KS and Thule, Greenland before returning to Kansas City to start a family. They were happily married for 60 years before Marcia’s passing in 2016.

Bill’s career spanned many industries from management consulting to running an industrial manufacturing plant, to residential real estate, but his most enduring and greatest achievements came at the job he treasured most, devoted husband, father, and grandfather. After retirement, he and Marcia made a lovely home in Naples, Florida, making friends and exploring SW Florida, and most of all, appreciating each other.

He is preceded in death by his wife Marcia, and his parents William and Elene Griffith. Survivors include his sister Susan McDaniel of Blount’s Creek, NC; his three children, Linda Blackerby and husband Sean of Essex Junction, VT; Laura Widrig and husband Gregory of Leawood; and William E. Griffith IV of Fairway. He is also survived by his seven grandsons: Brian Woods, Bradley Woods, Ryan Widrig, Michael Widrig, Daniel Widrig, William Griffith V, and Benjamin Griffith and his three great grandchildren; James, Lucy and Rose Widrig.

The Rosary will be prayed at 5 PM with visitation to follow until 7 PM on Thursday, July 6, at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, Missouri. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Friday, July 7, 2023 at Church of the Nativity Catholic Church, 3800 W. 119th Street, Leawood, Kansas. A private family burial will be held in the afternoon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.