William “Bill” “Billy” Mackenzie Ely II, 48, of Blue Springs, Missouri passed away on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. An informal come and go Celebration of Life will be held on April 11, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Colonial Hills Community of Christ, 3539 MO-7 Blue Springs, MO 64014. Another Celebration of Life, the live band/open jam party Bill wants, will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to William and Courtney’s college fund.
Bill was born June 8, 1972 in Independence, Missouri, the son of William Watkins Ely and Joy Doubledee Goodwin. Bill married Tara Michelle Adams on March 19, 2005. They have 3 children: William Watkins Ely II born September 5, 2005, MacKenzie Michelle Hope Ely born May 9, 2007, passed away on May 12, 2007, and Courtney Michelle Ely, born October 6, 2008. As a child, Bill enjoyed scouts, playing baseball, riding dirt bikes and four wheelers, being with friends and living among the ’85 Royals, he met many of his baseball heroes. After graduating Blue Springs High School in 1990, Bill joined the United States Marines. Following his time in the Marines, he attended the Police Academy. Bill was a Police Officer for the Blue Springs Police Department for 23 years until injuries from an on duty accident ended his police career. One of his great accomplishments with the Police Department was getting the 2 Blue Springs police department motorcycles approved and being one of the motorcycle police officers. He worked at Blue Springs Ford delivering parts, and later worked at Swim Things until he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma on June 9, 2020. Bill played in many KC area bands, until he found his “forever band” with Villains Dance. He loved riding four wheelers with Tara, William and Courtney. He loved watching his kids play ball. He, Tara, William and Courtney enjoyed their many years of Royals season tickets. Bill loved playing bass, singing and fixing his old cars, a Pontiac Fiero and then a Camaro IROC-Z. Bill shared a special music bond with his son, William, who is taking after his dad playing guitar. He shared a special silly bond with is daughter, Courtney. They would laugh and laugh at the most random things.
He is survived by his wife, Tara; son, William; and daughter Courtney of the home; Mother, Joy and husband Doug Goodwin; mother-in-law, Sue Adams; Aunt Gaye, Uncle George; grandma Verlin Doubledee; sister Kristen and husband Russ; brothers: Tim and Mark; sister-in-law, Melanie Johnson and husband Andy; nephews: Adam, Aidan, Timothy; nieces: Aylah, Jade, Violet, Audrey and Lydia; his many cousins; and his many band brothers and friends.
Bill is watching over us with his daughter, MacKenzie; his dad, William W. Ely; his father-in-law, Jerry Adams; his Aunt Dale; his grandma and grandpa Ely; and his grandpa Doubledee and his cousins.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO 816-847-4441