Wayne William “Joe” Totton of Grain Valley, MO completed his earthly sojourn on October 25, 2021. He was fortified by the Grace of the Sacraments and elevated in the prayers of countless loved ones.
Born on July 5, 1942, Wayne was the second of six children born to Wayne A. and Bridie (Ahern) Totton. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Gail (Touchtone) Totton; his three sisters Mary Elliott, Patricia Nelson, and Kathy White and one brother, Terry Totton; and a stepson, James Russell. He is survived by: his wife, Nancy (Kingsley) Totton of the home; his sons, Jody (Santhré) Totton of Dillon, CO and Joseph Totton of Saint Joseph MO; his brother George (Fay) Totton of Kansas City, MO; his stepchildren, Leanne Cramer of Harrisonville, MO, Lisa (Jerry) Schreiber of Raytown, MO, Barbara (Danny) Hernandez of Kansas City, MO, John (Michelle) Russell of Vine Grove, KY, Joseph (Tammi) Russell of Olathe, KS; two brothers-in-law: Ronald Elliott, Lees Summit, MO and Gary White, Park Hills, MO; as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.
The family will receive friends from 5-7pm on Monday, November 1, at Royer Funeral Home in Oak Grove. A Rosary will follow the visitation at 7pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Oak Grove at 10:30am on Tuesday November 2, with Father Joseph Totton as celebrant. Interment in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Kansas City, to follow that afternoon.
In 1960, Joe graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Independence, MO. He went to work full time as an auto mechanic, the trade in which his Father mentored him from a young age and employed him in the family business, “Wayne’s A-1 Auto Service”. After the death of his Father, Joe went to work as a diesel mechanic for Ryder Truck Rental and Leasing in Kansas City. He worked for Ryder for over twenty years, achieving the status of certified master technician. Later he was employed by NationaLease of Kansas City, finally retiring in 2006. He set himself apart by his-work ethic and commitment to excellence. He would never refuse a friend or family member who asked him to “look at” a car, and usually wound up spending his evenings and weekends plying his trade for the sake of friendship or just plain charity. While family and work were his two major passions, he also enjoyed birdwatching and screening Westerns and other vintage television programs. He was a man of slight build endowed with character to cast an enormous shadow!
As a young man, Joe volunteered to drive the school bus for St. John LaLande parochial School in Blue Springs. After living in Satellite Beach, FL, Harrisonville, MO, Ogallala, NE, and Detroit, MI, Joe returned to his native Grain Valley, MO in 1987. In 1992 Joe met the love of his life, Nancy Lee Kingsley. They were united in Holy Matrimony on June 30, 2001 and have daily grown in their love for one another since then. Joe and Nancy are members of St. Jude Catholic Church in Oak Grove.
Memorial Donations may be made to the Community Services League for the use of the food pantry at the First Baptist Church of Grain Valley.
Obituary submitted by the family
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO 816-690-4441
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Wayne White
28 Oct 2021Uncle Joe, I didn’t know you as well as I did some of your and my mom’s other siblings, but we were both named after a great man—your father and my grandfather—and so always carried that connection. You lived out of state for most of my childhood, and so I wasn’t around you as much as I was Aunt Mary, Aunt Pat, and Uncle Terry. I do remember the summer of ‘86, when you, Jody, and Joseph came down to our place in Elvins, MO, and we all road-tripped up to Lake of the Ozarks for the 4th of July. Fond memories, and ones that will never leave me. It sure is hard to believe that of you and your 5 siblings, only one is still with us; I always assumed the Tottons were somehow immortal. Fly high, Uncle Joe, and rest in the comfort that your two boys, Jody and Joseph, have grown up to be the fine gentlemen you modeled for them.
Edward & Lorraine Murray
28 Oct 2021The Murray family would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Totton family. May God comfort you and give you peace.
Gale Caples
30 Oct 2021My condolences to the Totton family + to Fr Totton with many prayers. May he rest in the peace + grace of Our Heavenly Father.
Nick and Kim Bartulica
1 Nov 2021Please know of our prayers.
Frank and Casey White and family
2 Nov 2021Our sincere sympathy to Father Joseph Totten and his family. We will keep you in our prayers.