William R. Hearshman

William R. Hearshman, 90, passed away on Tuesday, August 15, 2017, in Overland Park. He was born on August 18, 1926, in Des Moines, IA, and graduated from East High School and Drake University in Des Moines. After winning the Iowa state high school tennis championship in 1944, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was a member of the Greatest Generation who fought in WWII. Upon returning from the war, Bill resumed dating his high school sweetheart, Gloria, and the couple were married in 1948, beginning a 64 year marriage. They moved to Kansas City in 1961 with their twin sons, Terry and Tim, and younger son, Jay. For many years, Bill was President of Western Paper Company and greatly enjoyed his friendships with company associates across the country and with many others in the paper and printing industries here and in Germany and Japan. Bill was a long time member of Faith Lutheran Church in PV and more recently of Christ Lutheran Church in Overland Park. He will be sadly missed by surviving family, sons Tim and Jay Hearshman, grandson Dan Hearshman and wife Tracy, and 3 great granddaughters, Avery 10, Hayden 8, and Reese 5. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 22nd and funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. immediately following visitation, both at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 14275 Blackbob Rd., Olathe, KS 66062. A short burial service will follow at Johnson County Memorial Gardens, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66210, to which all are invited. In Lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations to the Christ Community Evangelical Free Church building campaign (Olathe Campus), the Salvation Army, or Wayside Waifs.




To leave a special message for his family or to share a memory of William, please click on the "Share Memories" tab above or scroll down below.