William E. Griffin

Bill Griffin, Jr. of Paola passed away January 28th at North Point Skilled Nursing Center at the age of 91. Bill was born Nov. 22nd, 1934 in Nevada MO to Bill Griffin (Sr.) and Helen Griffin. Their family moved to Paola in 1948, where Bill attended Paola High School, graduating in 1952. He attended Pittsburg State University for a time before coming back to work with his father in the grocery business. He met and married Patricia Rogers, the recently-hired women’s PE teacher at Paola High School, in 1956. Bill later bought in to the grocery business with his father and together they ran Griffin’s IGA in Paola for 14 years. In 1972 they sold the grocery store, and Bill went to work for the Miami County National Bank as their Marketing Officer, then later as a Loan Officer and finally as Facility Manager, eventually retiring in 1999.

As a boy Bill was active in Scouting as part of Troop 100 and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1950. Later when his son Kyle became scout age he served as Cubmaster of Pack 3100 and then Scoutmaster of Troop 100. He helped form Twin Rivers scouting district and was its first District Commissioner, and later became District Chairman. He was eventually awarded the Silver Beaver from the Heart of America Council for his work in scouting.

Bill was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as a deacon and an elder. He was a past member and president of the Paola Chamber of Commerce, a past member and president of the Paola Rotary Club, and a past member of the Paola Planning Commission. He spent his retirement years enjoying yard work, golf, and gardening. Through the years he always took great pride and interest in his two kids.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Bill Sr. & Helen, and his wife Pat. He is survived by his two children, daughter Kim of Joplin, MO, and son Kyle of Spring Hill KS.

Celebration of Williams life will be on February 19th, visitation 10 am with service 11 am at the Hillsdale Presbyterian Church.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Paola Senior Center at 121 W. Wea, Paola KS 66071, where Bill enjoyed many sessions of bingo with his friends.