Billy Lee Grismore was born June 22, 1954 in Smith Center, KS, the son of Frankie Edward and Joimae (Lee) Grismore. He passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Hays Medical Center, Hays, KS, at the age of 70.

Bill's life journey took him from Missouri to Iowa, and back to Kansas in 1987. He was incredibly skilled with large machinery, from bulldozers to scrapers, and played a key role in building many roads across the Midwest. One of his most notable achievements was in 1983, when he was part of the team that removed a 200-ton granite rock in Promise City, Iowa—a project that made headlines in magazines across the U.S. It was just one example of how Bill's expertise and determination could move mountains, literally. Bill was a mechanic at John Deere in Phillipsburg, Kansas, where he worked for 27 years.

Bill married Connie Davis in 1973. Brought to this union was Terry and from this union came Sue Ann and Billy Jr. He also opened his heart to Terry's best friend, Carl, and welcomed him into the family as one of his own. Though their marriage later ended in divorce in 1995.

Bill was many things: hardworking and hard-headed, but also a great friend and loved one to many. He had a stubborn streak a mile wide, but those who knew him well understood that underneath all of that was a heart full of love for the people around him.

Bill had a deep love for tractors, spending countless hours working on them. He enjoyed attending his son and grandson's demolition derbies, where he was known for being the watchdog over the pit, offering a mix of criticism and guidance, all while giving the guys a hard time. Even after retiring, he never quite slowed down. He kept his daughter busy with one project after another, always finding something that needed fixing or improving. Bill was also a master at chess—a game where strategy and patience met his natural stubbornness. Many hours were spent at the kitchen table, furiously thinking two or three steps ahead, always with a little smirk when he had you in a checkmate position. Bill also loved riding along with his good friend, Dale Hanchett, as they checked on crops, fields, and cattle. During these drives, they would tell stories, joke around, and talk about everything under the sun. Those rides became a special tradition, a time to reflect on the past while enjoying the quiet of the open fields and the company of a long-time friend.

Bill leaves behind a lasting impact on those who knew him. May he rest in peace, and may we all remember the lessons he taught us—sometimes through laughter, sometimes through argument, but always through love. He will never be forgotten.

Survivors include his daughter Sue Ann (Kenneth) Bohl of Phillipsburg; son Billy (Kelly) Grismore, Jr. of Phillipsburg; Carl (Lynell) Miskimins of Halstead; 4 grandchildren: Trey Grismore, Chase Grismore, Brittany Davis, and Tyson Davis; 4 great grandchildren; brother Frankie (Lindsay) of Purdin, MO; sisters Joimae "Sissy" (Mike) Kidd of Auxvasse, MO, Lorraine "Short" (Mickey) Henderson of Phillipsburg, and Barbara (Evan) Whitney of Norton; and sister-in-law Martha Troster, of Trenton, MO. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; a son Terry Davis; brother Wayne "Sug" Grismore; and a ½ brother Lester Troster.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 28, 2025 at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Scott Eller officiating.  Burial will follow in the Kirwin Cemetery.

Mr. Grismore will lie in state from noon until 9 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Billy Grismore, Sr. Memorial Fund.