October 30, 1934 to April 17, 2011 Father Bill Bauman was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, son of John and Theresa (Wauchek) Bauman. The family moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1945. In 1952 he graduated as valedictorian from Leo High School and the family moved to Kansas City, Missouri. He attended St. John's Seminary in Kansas City and Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He was ordained in the Diocese of Kansas City/St. Joseph on April 2, 1960. After several assignments as an associate pastor, he served as pastor of St. Stephen, St. Charles, Christ the King, and most recently St. Thomas More parishes. In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, Father Bill co-founded Northeast Cooperative Services which has grown into the Bishop Sullivan Center serving the poor. He was a national leader for the US Catholic Bishops in designing changes to the liturgy and liturgical music in the wake of Vatican II; was the founding director of the Center of Pastoral Life and Ministry to train lay ministers for the diocese. He was an accomplished pianist and organist; a long term patron and season ticket holder to the Kansas City Symphony and was an influential member of National Pastoral Musicians. He was a constructive leader in his many diocesan assignments and was always willing to take on difficult tasks. Father Bill was also the spiritual leader of his family and leaves behind two sisters, Linda Shumway of Camdenton, MO and Mary Ann Yeats of Perth, Australia; and two brothers, John of Columbia, MO and Joe of Lawrence, KS and their spouses; 14 nieces and nephews and 31 great nieces and nephews. His parents preceded him in death. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday, April 25, at St. Thomas More Church, 11822 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, MO, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, April 26, at 11 a.m. at the church. The family requests no flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bishop Sullivan Center, 6435 E. Truman Road, Kansas City, MO 64126. (Online condolences for the family may be left at www.muehlebachchapel.com.) Muehlebach Funeral Home, 6800 Troost, Kansas City, MO 64131, (816)444-2060
Published in Kansas City Star from April 19 to April 23, 2011