William "Bill" Ross Dey

William "Bill" Ross Dey, legendarily known as "Chief," 88, of Sedalia, MO, passed away Friday, January 13, 2023, at E.W. Thompson Health and Rehabilitation Center in Sedalia. He was born on December 5, 1934, the son of William "Boots" and Gladys (Rhodes) Dey, who preceded him in death.

On June 2, 1963, in Stover, MO, he was united in marriage to Alma Lilly Eckhoff, who preceded him in death on July 11, 2015.

Bill attended Whittier Elementary School and was a 1952 graduate of Smith-Cotton High School. While in high school, he played on the first baseball team to attend the State Tournament from Smith-Cotton. Bill was a standout baseball player, playing as a starter all four years of his high school baseball career. During the summers, he played American Legion baseball and Ban Johnson baseball. In the fall of 1952, he joined the U.S. Navy. After boot camp, Bill went to Code School and then onto his first duty station in Whidbey Island, WA. His last duty station was with the USS Taussig Destroyer DD-746. Bill served his country honorably until his discharge in December 1955.

After his military career, Bill enrolled at Central Missouri State College, Warrensburg, played baseball for four years, and later was the Coach for the CMSC Mules for two years. He took the college team to their first Regional Tournament and took 2nd place. Bill last played semi-pro baseball for ten years, winning a State Championship in 1962. Bill later switched to fast-pitch softball. He coached Little League and American Legion baseball teams for 40 years.

Bill served on several boards, including the Sedalia Parks and Rec., Sedalia #200 School District, Meals On Wheels, and the Missouri American Legion Board.

He is survived by a son, Warren Dey, of Sedalia, and four grandchildren, Jordan (Kourtney), Taylor, Logan, and Bailey Dey; one great-granddaughter, Kaia, and a daughter-in-law, Amy Dey.

In addition to his wife and parents, Bill was preceded in death by a son, Ross Dey.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ with Pastor Mike Kyle officiating.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until service time at the church.

The burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery, Sedalia, MO.

Casket bearers will be Warren Dey, Jordan Dey, Logan Dey, Taylor Dey, Bailey Dey, Jeff Mays, Johnny Fry, and Jud Kindle.

Honorary bearers will be all friends in attendance in the congregation.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Liberty Park Stadium Fund or Christ and Trinity Lutheran Church in the care of Rea Funeral Chapel.