William Kaiser, 90, of Overland Park, passed away Thursday, April 24, 2014, at Kansas City Hospice House.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 25, at the Louis Memorial Chapel, followed by burial at Mount Carmel Cemetery. The family suggests contributions to The Kaiser Family Tutoring Fund at Congregation Beth Shalom, 14200 Lamar Ave, Overland Park, KS 66223 or Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care, www.kansascityhopice.org (1500 Meadow Lake Pkwy, Suite 200, KCMO 64114.)
Bill was born in New York to the late Benjamin and Frances (Goldfarb) Kaiser. He attended James Madison High School in Brooklyn and then the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 and advanced to the rank of a decorated first lieutenant. He flew B-17 bombers in the 15th Air Force in the European Theater. After his military service Bill returned to Brooklyn and married his wife of 68 years, Marcelle Bergman.
He joined the family business in 1946, selling garment manufacturing equipment. He moved to Kansas City in 1971 and continued in the industry, founding and operating The Bill Kaiser Co. until his retirement in 1999.
Bill was a longtime member of Congregation Beth Shalom where he was an avid Torah reader and coordinator of the lay Torah readers. He received the congregation’s highest honor, The Kovod Award. He was an avid sports fan and loved to share stories about his life.
Bill is survived by his loving wife Marcelle; son, Judd Kaiser, Leawood; daughter and son-in-law, Gina Kaiser and David Gale, Prairie Village; brother, Isaac Kaiser, Lakewood, Colo.; grandson and his wife, Joshua Flaherty and Amanda Tarter; and great-grandsons, Ryder and Chase Flaherty.
The family would like to express a special thank you to Barbara Timmons who lovingly cared for Bill in his later years.
Condolences may be shared at www.louismemorialchapel.com.
Arr: Louis Memorial Chapel, 816-361-5211.