William Joseph “Bill” Greim, of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, passed away January 31, 2024, at his home.
Bill was born in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, on January 28, 1944, to Dean Sprague Greim and Helen Mae Lee Greim, who lovingly raised Bill (Billy Joe or “Pup”) and his three brothers, Rex, Don, and Larry on Dunbar Avenue in Excelsior’s heyday. Bill lifeguarded at Lake Maurer and the Elms, manned the Greim drugstore soda fountain, and followed his brothers as an ESHS football and basketball player. He attended CMSU, enlisted in the Army, and served in Vietnam.
Bill married fellow teacher Mary Lou Robak, his wife of 49 years in 1974. The family returned to Excelsior in 1979 after Edward Dean and William Joseph, Jr. (Eddie and Billy) were born in Omaha, Nebraska. Bill taught algebra and geometry “proofs” to generations of Excelsiorites at Lewis Middle School and later ESHS. An Excelsior golf club mainstay, Bill hit holes in one on every par 3. He was proud to develop young
golfers and coached ESHS Golf to win at State, but also found time to volunteer at the Good Samaritan Center, which Mary Lou helped start. He imparted to his boys his love of Missouri history, the Boston Celtics, and travel. So too his lifelong Missouri Tiger fandom, which had placed him at odds with a few of his older brothers. Bill rarely spent money in Kansas, not just because of his thrift. Like his own dad, Bill was beloved for his good nature and oddball sense of humor. The trait, noticeable in his brothers (who
predeceased him), barely survives in his two attorney sons and fifteen grandkids, Delaney, Liam, Nolan, Ella, Clara, Cole, Mary, Vivian, Caroline, Lydia, Helena, Paloma, Greta, Wila, and Maria. Bill’s strong Catholic faith, inherited from his mother, sustained him in a prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s. He was aided by a loyal family friend, Trish Guarino, these last years. Baba, we will miss you.
A visitation will be held Friday, February 2, 2024, at Bross and Spidle Funeral Home in Excelsior Springs, Missouri from 4 to 6 p.m., with rosary at 4 p.m. The funeral mass will be Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church with burial to follow at Crown Hill Cemetery in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Ann Catholic Churchor the Good Samaritan Center of Excelsior Springs.
Our Sincere Condolences
Never a dull moment around Bill. Rest in peace my friend…
Jesse Hall
We only knew Bill a short time, but found him delightful and a very nice man.
We are sending prayers of comfort to Mary Lou and family.
Sandy and Pete Estes
RIP Billy Joe, you left a positive impact on a lot of youth in Excelsior Springs.
Donnie Roberts
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ll be praying for you these next months, that God gives you peace as you adjust to the changes ahead. God bless you.
Mary Royeton
Uncle Bill,
I’ll miss that twinkle in your eye when telling a joke, how you found kindred spirits in dogs (perhaps from your childhood nickname?) your stories of Vietnam, and your spirit of true service to all in your life. I think we will ALL miss the way you could put Mary Lou in her place with a stern “Now Mary Lou. . .” 😉 Heaven certainly gained some humor with your passing and I don’t doubt you will find joy keeping an eye on all the chaos, drama and comedy that’s this life (as well as viewing some excellent golfing) until we meet again.
All my love, your goddaughter,
Diana
Our sincere condolences for Billy, Vanessa and the rest of your family. May your heart be forever filled with memories of your Father.
Jeanne and Tim Trenkle
My condolences to MaryLou, Eddie, Bill and the rest of your beautiful family. Your beloved Billy Joe was a quiet yet impactful man.
His dry wit & humor tickled me.
His bright mind impressed me.
His kind willingness to help his students touched me. His role modeling inspired me.
You, as a family, have great reason to feel proud of this man. He will be terribly missed, but your happy memories will sustain you. God bless you all.
Cindy O’Dell
