Cecil Saulsbury

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Cecil Jordan "Bill" Saulsbury, 84, of Kansas City, Missouri was born August 31, 1928, in Gowen, Oklahoma, the son of Earl and Agnes (Patrick) Saulsbury. He passed away Saturday, April 13, 2013, at the Missouri Veterans Home, Cameron, surrounded with love and family.

He worked at the Superior Oil Co. in Shafter, California, before being drafted into the U.S. Army. Cecil spent two years in Korea where he received numerous medals for his valor including a Purple Heart. After his honorable discharge from the Army he returned to California and resumed his career with Superior Oil but he had already met a Missourian, Phyllis Arnhold, and his life changed forever. They were married in Lee's Summit, Missouri, on September 18, 1953, before returning to Shafter. In 1955 they moved back to Missouri where Cecil began his life long career with Phillip's Petroleum. He owned and operated Cecil's 66 Service at 6244 Main in Kansas City, Missouri as well as stations in Prairie Village and Corinth Square Shopping Center in Kansas.

Cecil was a long time member of Holmeswood Baptist Church, a supporter of 3&2 baseball and the Boy Scouts. He loved his family, church and country, was a great practical joker, enjoyed being outdoors and working on his farm in Drexel, Missouri.

Cecil was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Earl, Jr. and Johnie B. Saulsbury as well as one sister, Betty Jane Robins.

He is survived by his bride of 59 A½ years, Phyllis of the home; one daughter Victoria (and Kenneth) Saulsbury Upchurch of Snowmass, Colorado; one son Michael Saulsbury of Linn Creek, Missouri; two grandsons Kyler of Lenexa, Kansas, and Erik Saulsbury of Linn Creek; one sister Joann Wisdom of Kansas City, Kansas; and one brother Larry (and Roberta) Saulsbury of Hartshorne, Oklahoma; a niece Joni Riley of Kansas City, Kansas, and a nephew Colonel Billie Wisdom of Leawood. He is also survived by many other nieces, nephews and close friends.

Funeral services were held Friday, April 19, 2013, at the Holmeswood Baptist Church. Dr. Keith Herron officiated. Graveside services were held in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery with full military honors by the United States Army and Pleasant Hill Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3118. Casket bearers were Jerry Howard, Roy Kline, Erik Saulsbury, Kyler Saulsbury, Kenneth Upchurch, and Col. Billie Wisdom.

Visitation was held Thursday evening at the church.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to the VFW, 406 W. 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111; Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, 7th Floor, NY, NY 10003 or Holmeswood Baptist Church, 9700 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131.