William M. “Bill” Munding, 85, of rural Parsons died at 1:59 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin. He had been in his usual health and death was not expected.

He was born March 19, 1926, in Parsons to Norbert Martin and Gertrude (Seiler) Munding. He grew up in Parsons, where he attended St. Patrick’s Elementary School, East Junior High School and was a graduate of Parsons High School. His lifelong career was with the Katy Railroad, where he worked as a machinist.

He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons, formerly St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and was a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Bill cherished his family and enjoyed airplanes, flying and woodworking.

He married Marietta McGown on May 16, 1980. She survives of the home.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sisters, Dorothy Van Leeuwen of Dayton, Ohio, Veronica “Bonnie” Kennan of Parsons and Ramona Carnahan and her husband, Lee, of Altamont; 19 nieces and nephews; 40 great-nieces and great-nephews, among them his namesake, William “Will” Fehr.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Norbert Joseph Munding; and five sisters, Anne Workman, Maxine Crudden, Lucille Carland, Elizabeth “Betty” Hodges and Anita Kimble.

The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery. The rosary will be at 7 p.m. Monday at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons, where the family will receive friends immediately following the rosary.

Memorials are suggested to Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers or St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. These may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.