Ralph William “Bill” Hancock, 77, of Centertown, MO passed away on 

Monday, July 29, 2024, at Jefferson City Manor Care Center surrounded by his family.

He was born on December 11, 1946, in Independence, MO to Ralph Madison and Frankie Mae (Gore) Hancock.

Bill was a 1964 graduate from Raytown High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO then received his master’s degree from Fort Hayes College in Kansas.

Bill was united in marriage to Carolyn Scrivner on November 16, 1973, at Mount Olive Baptist Church, near Russellville, MO.

Bill enjoyed a career in university academics teaching courses in Communications. Over time, he transitioned to developing and managing fundraising programs for institutions of higher education such as Iowa State University, Ames, IA, Southern Charleston University, Charleston, SC, Florida University in Miami, FL, Stevens College, Columbia, MO, and several other fundraising projects in states such as Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, and Ohio. After a very successful career, Bill retired from Habitat for Humanity, in Americas, GA, as Vice President of Fundraising.

Bill was a very active member of Masons, Shriners, and Scottish Rite in Missouri and Georgia, as well as the Knights Templar in Georgia. He held a special affection in his heart for the Shriners Children’s Hospitals and collected “Angel” and “Jesus” dollars to donate to help fund those hospitals.

He loved being an auctioneer for fun and he and his wife enjoyed antique shopping and were antique store owners in Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Dakota. They also loved traveling, especially by train, because Bill loved trains and was very knowledgeable about them. He liked to collect guns, and even more so, loved hunting, especially pheasant hunting. Most recently, Bill really loved being a part of the Roark Yacht Club, near Russellville, MO, where he spent hours on Monday mornings visiting with like-minded, mature Christian gentlemen solving the problems of the world and making life for everyone better in general. 

From a young age, Bill was a Patriot who loved his country, and a member of the American Legion for 40 years. He served as a pilot for former Missouri Governor Warren Hearns, and in the rank of Major, he was a faculty member at Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, MO.

Bill truly loved his family, and most of his relatives, wishing the best in life for all of them!

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn; two children, Kim (David) Beal, Renee (Greg) Ernsbarger; five grandchildren; Heather (Eric) Urban, Christy (Simon) Stone, Brenton (Emily) Ernsbarger, Casey (Shelby) Beal and Tanner Beal; five great-grandchildren, and a daughter, Cindy JO, by a previous marriage.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister, Mary Alice Hancock.

Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, August 4, 2024, at Trimble Funeral Homes – Russellville.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, August 5, 2024, at Trimble Funeral Homes – Russellville with Pastor Dr. Brian Credille and Pastor Alan Earls, officiating.

 Burial will be in Enloe Cemetery. 

 Memorials are suggested to Shriners Children’s Hospitals.

 Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Russellville. Trimblefunerals.com