William (Bill) DeSmet came into this world on All Saint’s Day 1947 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kansas City, MO and passed away peacefully at home in Lee’s Summit, MO on June 30^th, 2024.  Bill was the only child of Emil DeSmet and Marcella Hess DeSmet, who both preceded him.  He leaves behind his loving wife, Barbara, of the home; sons Brian DeSmet of St. Louis, MO and Eric DeSmet of Lee’s Summit, MO; and grandsons Ian DeSmet of Columbia, MO and Thomas DeSmet of Santiago, Chile. 

From a young age, Bill loved both playing and watching sports.  As a youth he played baseball with his neighborhood buddies, enjoyed fishing in the Ozarks and was a football lineman at Hogan High.  As an adult he played catcher on the St. Regis Parish softball team and was later a goalie on both indoor and outdoor soccer teams. Bill enjoyed a successful 55 year career in finance and banking, retiring this year from Farmers Bank of Kansas City, where he was an integral part of their team.  His love and appreciation for friends and family, rarely stated outright, always shown through in his offers to help others and to enjoy sharing culinary delights – another love of his.  

We would like to express our gratitude to the Hospice Team of Saint Luke’s East for their assistance.  Private family services will be held at a later date.  Contributions in his memory are suggested to one of his favorite charities: Team Shanie/Colon Cancer Coalition (make payable to Barbara DeSmet for Team); or Wayside Waifs; or your favorite charity.