William R. Kapp

William R. Kapp, 48, a good man known for kindness and gentleness, passed away on April 27, 2024.

William was born August 27, 1975, in Oak Park, Illinois, to Kathleen (Reinhardt) and William J. Kapp. When he was a year old, the family moved to Kansas City, MO, Kathleen’s hometown. William was proud of his Chicago roots but enjoyed growing up in Waldo, playing with neighborhood kids and seeing his maternal grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins frequently. Two younger siblings came along, John and Beth, and they attended school at Christ the King.

John was two years younger, but they were constant companions and lifelong best friends and roommates. They were frequently asked: “Are you twins?” He was active in Boy Scout Troop 30 throughout childhood and as a young adult. They attended Boy Scout camp every summer (often with record heat for the year), countless camping trips and numerous High Adventures. William proudly earned the Eagle Scout Award and was a warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say and Trailblazers. The brothers never ran out of things to talk about — the Royals, Chiefs, WWE, video games — and looked after each other as adults.

William graduated from Bishop Miege High School in 1995 and attended Longview Community College. He once said his dream job was to be a meteorologist, and one of his favorite topics of conversation was the weather. He was always happy to share the forecast and what to watch out for. Despite living with myotonic dystrophy, he worked at Price Chopper, Walmart and finally Goodwill. 

His kind spirit was evident in his care for animals and children. He was a proud uncle to Rory and Margaret, his nieces. After Sunday night dinners when they were little, he entertained them with “horsey” rides. On a trip with them to Disneyland, William joined Rory on the Grizzly River Run, braving the rapids together over and over again until Rory was content.

William’s favorite vacation destination was Kentucky Lake with his father’s side of the family. He relished spending time with them, playing card games like Oh Heck, Euchre and Golf, taking boat rides and floating. He tried to avoid sunburns and going tubing. In recent years, he took an RV trip through the Pacific Northwest and cruised through the Mediterranean with dear cousins. This past winter, he enjoyed visiting the Caribbean and braved a tube ride down the Layou River.

William was a lifelong parishioner of Christ the King Church and a dedicated member of the Legion of Mary, most recently serving as vice president. He enjoyed helping others and giving service to the church. He enjoyed exercising at BioFit in Overland Park, KS, and recently joined the KC Area Myotonic Dystrophy Support Group. While his absence leaves a deep void, his memory will be forever cherished for the kindness and love he brought into the world.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Kathleen, and a sister, Kelly Marie. He is survived by his father, Bill; brother, John Kapp; sister, Beth Kapp, brother-in-law, Joe Drees; and nieces, Rory Heap and Margaret Heap; all of Kansas City, MO; uncle and aunt, Bob and Nora Reinhardt of Holt, MO; and many cherished cousins.

Visitation will be 8:30 am Thursday, May 9, with a rosary at 9:30 am, at Christ the King Church, 8510 Wornall Rd. KCMO 64114. Mass of Christian burial will be at CTK at 10 am, followed by interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Following the burial, a reception will be held in the parish hall at Christ the King.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation, 663 Thirteenth St., Suite 100, Oakland, CA 94612, or the Christ the King building fund, 8510 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO 64114.