Born in 1941 in the rural heartland of Saline County, Missouri, William Raphael “Bill” Cundiff was raised in a humble farmer’s house at the crossroads of CR-318 and Route YY in the township of Herndon. From an early age, William’s life was shaped by the rhythms of farm life, where he learned the value of hard work alongside his father, Lovell “Shorty” Cundiff. As a young student, William attended the local one-room schoolhouse where his mother, Freda Viola Charles Cundiff, served as the teacher.
Bill’s formative years continued at Marshall High School, where he grew into a well-rounded student. His involvement in the Future Farmers of America honed his agricultural skills, while his role as Basketball Team Manager taught him the importance of organization and teamwork. Bill also participated in the Junior-Senior play and Boy’s Glee Club.
After graduating in 1958, Bill embarked on a new chapter, joining the Army National Guard. The discipline and structure of military life refined his character. It was during this time that he met Beverly Jane Hightower, and the two soon married in 1961, embarking on their shared life together.
Professionally, Bill developed into a local welder in high demand, refurbishing scrap cars for sale with friends. He became an essential figure at Marshall’s Sportsman’s Speedway oval dirt track, where he spent most weekends throughout the 1960s, forging urgent repairs for the racers. Bill’s innovative spirit and mechanical ingenuity allowed his business to thrive through word-of-mouth.
Bill’s personal pursuits reflected his deep connection to life in rural Missouri. An avid hunter, he regularly ventured out in search of deer and quail. Bill also found solace in the tranquility of fishing at the family cabin in Zora, on the shores of The Lake of the Ozarks.
All that changed in 1971 when, in a welding accident, Bill suffered severe injuries, resulting in burns over his scalp and arms, requiring multiple skin graft surgeries and causing him the loss of his right arm to the elbow and leaving him paralyzed. Looking back on this time, Bill would reflect that God had laid him on his back to get his attention because he had been too busy to pay attention otherwise.
His marriage ended in 1974, and with the help of family and friends, Bill worked to return to college and ultimately graduated in 1979 from University of Missouri’s Agricultural College with a degree in Farm Management.
Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Bill pushed his limits to do as much as he could on a small farm in Hallsville. He designed adaptability devices so that he could get in a tractor and mow, rake, and bale hay as well as cut brush. He enjoyed strengthening his mind and designed several buildings for the farm. He would always say, if it were easy – anyone could do it. He loved to help people in need.
Bill remarried Diane Dolores Wende in 1991. He continued to farm with family in Saline County and worked on his small ranch that he had purchased in Hallsville, where he raised cattle and rabbits, and accumulated an assortment of other animals including donkeys, miniature ponies, potbellied pigs, and llamas. He made these pets part of the annual living nativity at Hallsville Baptist Church.
Bill was the treasurer at Hallsville Baptist Church for over 20 years as well as a Sunday school teacher. Bill enjoyed taking part in local mission trips to small communities as a part of Missourians on Mission as well as World Changers through the International Mission Board.
Bill grew tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, and a variety of other crops in a small garden and he would often cook them in ways that befuddled his children. His time in the military as a cook taught him how to utilize ingredients and spices in a way that turned even the most bizarre concoctions into delicious meals. Bill enjoyed hot sauce and spices ensuring that nothing that he cooked would be bland (and at times edible). He enjoyed being outdoors and spending time in his small orchard. Despite having no thumbs, one of them must have been green because he found ways to get almost anything to grow to abundance.
Bill is survived by his children, Deborah Jane Cundiff, James Timothy Cundiff, Danielle Dolores Cundiff, Isaac William Cundiff, and Elizabeth Freda Hollen. He is also survived by his grandchildren Kalysta Daun O’Haver and Haiden Grace DeVorss and his elder sister Ramona Jean Mizer. Preceded in death by his father James Lovell “Shorty” Cundiff, his mother Freda Viola Charles Cundiff, and his brother Charles Wesley Crowder.
Bill is loved and will be missed. It can surely be said of him, he has fought a good fight, he has finished the race, and he has kept the faith. Bill’s life will be celebrated on Wednesday 4/16 from 5:00 pm-8:30 pm at Hallsville Baptist Church: 115 Elizabeth Street, Hallsville, MO 65255. Friends will be received by Bill’s family from 10:00 am to 11:00 am with a funeral to follow at 11:00 am on Thursday 4/17 at Powerhouse Church: 263 West Morgan Street, Marshall, MO 65340. Interment will be held at Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Marshall, MO.
Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory, 12 East Ash Street, Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 449-4153. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com.