Obituaries

William R. "Bill" Northway

Photo of William R. "Bill" Northway
William R. "Bill" Northway, age 76 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Friday, January 15, 2021, at his home surrounded by family. Bill was born July 4, 1944 in Jefferson City, Mo., the son of William and Alma (Shelnutt) Northway. Bill was married on September 11, 2004 to Rhoda Wilson in Columbia, Mo., who survives. Bill has two sons, Rodney and Mitchell, from a previous marriage to Darla Rippeto of Jefferson City, Mo. A lifelong resident of the central Missouri area, Bill graduated from Jefferson City High School in 1962 and attended Lincoln University. He began his 30-year construction career as a cement mason and was later elected as the business agent for Local 368 for central Missouri. For the remaining of his construction career, he owned and operated his own construction company along with his sons, building and remodeling homes. In 1994 he was hired at the Missouri Department of Corrections as maintenance supervisor where he retired in December 2006. He was a 50-plus year member of the Masonic Jefferson Lodge #43, A.F. & A.M. Bill cherished time with his family and loved supporting his sons and grandchildren by attending their sporting events and other life celebrations. He enjoyed camping and hunting with his sons and traveling out West hunting with friends. Bill looked forward to traveling later in life with his wife, Rhoda, to Mexico every January, and a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Mediterranean. From his love of baseball, Bill and Rhoda made a quest to visit all the Major League baseball parks but was always loyal to their favorite team St. Louis Cardinals. During his free time, he enjoyed his Thursday night golf league with friends and growing tomatoes in his garden. In his younger days he could be found driving a race car at the old Jefferson City Raceway or flying political officials around the state. In recent years, he enjoyed spending time restoring his 1979 Ford truck. Most importantly, he cherished his family and gave generously of his time with those he loved, who called him Dad and Grandpa Bill. He will be remembered for living every day to the fullest, never looking in the rearview mirror. Bill genuinely cared about people and took every opportunity to help those less fortunate. Survivors include: a wonderful blend of family of children, grandchildren and his loving wife of 16 years, Rhoda Northway of Jefferson City, Mo.; two sons, Rodney Northway (wife Leann) of Lee's Summit, Mo. and Mitchell Northway (wife Angela) of Jefferson City, Mo.; one step-son, Jay Wilson (wife Tammy) of Columbia, Mo.; brother, Charles Northway (wife Linda) of Columbia, Mo.; sister, Patsy Beatrice of Jefferson City, Mo.; five grandchildren, Tyler Northway (wife Janelle), Hannah Northway, Ian Northway, Reid Wilson and Kristi Wilson; three great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Marie Northway, Macoy Northway and Katherine "Kit" Northway; sisters-in-law, Susan Smith and Karla (Rippeto) Johansen; his dog, Hershey; and many nieces and nephews who are part of his loving family. He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Theodore "Theo" Northway; and three brothers-in-law, Paul Miller, David and Donald Smith. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Freeman Mortuary with a Celebration of Bill's Life following in the Freeman Chapel at 2:00 p.m. Graveside services and interment will be held at Riverview Cemetery. The general public is welcome to attend Bill's services and his family has requested anyone in attendance to wear protective masks. A webcast of his service will begin at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday for friends who are not able to attend by visiting his memorial page on Freeman Mortuary's website. Friends may mail sympathy cards to the funeral home or leave condolences online for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Jefferson City School District Food Service Department to supplement breakfast and lunch accounts for children in need. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. www.freemanmortuary.com

Published January 19, 2021