Dr. Wilburn “Bill” Thomas Stancil was born November 9, 1948, in Memphis, Tennessee and passed away on January 24, 2026 at his home in Kansas City, Missouri at age 77. Bill was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, friend, and teacher.
After graduating from White Station High School (Memphis, TN) in 1966, Bill earned his BA in English Literature from Memphis State University in 1970. He then served in the U.S. Army as a Chaplain’s Assistant from 1970 to 1972 (honorable discharge). Bill’s experiences as a Chaplain’s Assistant led him to Southwestern Seminary in Texas, where he earned a Master of Divinity in 1975 and a PhD in 1979. Southwestern Seminary is also where he met his wife of 51 years, Pat. In 1976 their only child was born, Emily Marie.
In 1979 Bill, Pat, and Emily moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where Bill was a professor of theology at the International Theological Seminary from 1979-1985. Upon the family’s return to the United States, Bill taught at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama from 1988-1989, Midwestern Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri from 1989-1994, and Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri from 1995 -2020. Upon retiring Bill held the title of Professor Emeritus at Rockhurst University and taught part-time at Bishop Kemper School for Ministry in Topeka, Kansas. Bill was also a regular guest speaker at many churches and organizations across the Kansas City area.
Bill was the editor/co-editor of two books: Catholicism at the Millennium and A Student’s Guide to the Liberal Arts. He was also the author of many articles and book reviews.
During his lifetime Bill enjoyed many hobbies, including guitar playing, coin and stamp collecting, golf, genealogy, and reading.
Bill was singularly the best person many of us knew. He was mentor, teacher, friend, and confidante to many, a lifelong guiding light to his daughter and grandchildren, a supportive and loyal husband, and a faithful servant of Christ. His quick wit, gentle spirit, ability to give astute advice and teach with ease will live on through those whose lives he touched, and his absence on Earth will leave an unfillable void.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, Charles Gordon Stancil and Tommye Dee Chapman, one sister Martha King, and his wife Pat Stancil (6/11/1949-10/9/2024). He is survived by his daughter Emily (Josh), four grandchildren, Riley, Khalil, Charlie, and Beth, two sisters, Becky Dewease (Steve) and Carol Harrell (Mike), and one brother, Brett Stancil.
Services will be held on January 31 at 11 am at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 7110 North MO-9, Kansas City, Missouri 64152. A light reception will follow.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, where Bill, Pat, and Emily have been members since 1994.
