William Joseph Barbour

Rev. William Joseph "Joe" Barbour, 88, Lenexa, KS passed away Sunday, August 23, 2020 at Morningside Place in Overland Park, KS. Due to international travel restrictions imposed by Covid-19, a memorial service will be delayed until his son and family can travel from their missionary home in South Africa.

Known by many in his adult life as "Brother Joe," he was born April 16, 1932 in Poplar Bluff, MO to John Leo and Mabel Barbour. After high school, Joe attended Southwest Baptist College, Bolivar, MO, and finished his undergraduate degree at William Jewell College, Liberty, MO. While attending Central Baptist Theological Seminary, he pastored a mission of First Baptist Church, Platte City, MO. It was there that he met Carol Pirch; they were married in December 1956. He then completed his education, earning a Master of Divinity degree at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. He played football while in college. He loved sports, especially football and golf. Joe began preaching while in high school. He pastored churches in Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas. While pastoring Berean Baptist Church in Kansas City, KS, he went on several international missions trips. It was during those experiences he realized God's call to the international mission field. In late 1988, he and Carol went to Lusaka, Zambia, where they served until late 1997. He taught seminary and pastored International Baptist Church while there. They retired to Independence, MO and were active in First Baptist Church of Raytown (now called Connection Point) for the last 22 years, though a piece of his heart always remained in Zambia.

Along with his calling to preach and pastor, Joe was instrumental in denominational leadership, particularly in Kansas City Kansas Baptist Association, for many years. He served on the KCKBA Executive Board, several associational committees, and as moderator at various times during his pastorate at Berean Baptist Church (now known as Master's Community Church). He also actively participated in the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Marvin (all of Poplar Bluff).

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carol Barbour; 4 children - John (Laura) Barbour of Kansas City, KS, Christy Barbour of Overland Park, KS, Carla Costley of Overland Park, KS, and Chuck (Amy) Barbour of George, South Africa; 7 grandchildren – Dianna (Austin) Madsen of Kansas City, KS, Coleman (Dominique) Barbour of Bonner Springs, KS, Justin Yeater & fiancé Caroline Truong of Denver, CO, Taylor (Patrick) Lippitt of Tulsa, OK, Caleb Barbour of Ft. Bragg, NC, Joy Barbour & fiancé Drayton Henderson of Atlanta, GA, and Mark Barbour of George, South Africa; 7 great-grandchildren – Matthias, Elizabeth, Gideon, and Lillian Madsen and Alistair, Sherwood, and Digory Barbour; sister Becky (Bob) Muncy of MD; and many nieces and nephews.


Joe's favorite hymn was "At the Cross" (Isaac Watts, 1707):

Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I?

Refrain
At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died,
For man the creature's sin.

But drops of grief can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give myself away
'Tis all that I can do.


In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the International Mission Board – https://www.imb.org/give/

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. ~ Psalm 116:15 (NIV)







To leave a message of condolence for Joe's family family, or to share a special memory of Joe, visit the guestbook below.