William Lee Chisholm died peacefully on February 8, 2021 after a long illness.  He was 73.  He was born July 2, 1947 In Kansas City, MO., to Donald and Mildred Chisholm. A lifelong resident of Kansas City, MO., Bill was living in Gladstone at the time of his death.

He graduated from Southwest High School in 1965, serving as captain of the swimming team his senior year; he also managed to establish both school and city records in the backstroke. He attended Westminster College and subsequently served in the US Navy on the USS Caliente during the Vietnam War.  

A growing interest in photography prompted him to apply to Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA.  He specialized in bio-medical photography while studying there.  

He returned to live in Kansas City and managed the Mechanical Eye in Crown Center, an upscale emporium of photography equipment.  In 1978 he became the bio-medical photographer for the UMKC School of Medicine. The images he created won numerous national awards but tragically his photography career was cut short by a degenerative eye disease. He continued to work at UMKC in an administrative capacity until his retirement in 2006.

Bill had an enormous and unwavering love for animals. While he grew up with various dogs, tropical fish and a parakeet, as an adult he was devoted to his many kitties over the years: Cat, Nicky, Phillip, George, Andrew, Harvey, Amanda, Rudy, Sam, Gracie, Lucy and Teddy. Bill was also an accomplished fisherman and enjoyed many family trips to the Ozarks for rainbow trout fishing.  

Bill was also an exemplary big brother, teaching his little sister how to smoke cigarettes (that were actually sticks), the latest cool dance moves and how to drive a stick shift.

Bill and his wife Barb shared a strong interest in photography as well as their passion for animals. They both enjoyed travel to Italy as much as a trip to the Ozarks.

As a sports fan, his enthusiasm for both the Chiefs and Royals was undiminished whether they won or lost.  While cancer may have been the official cause of death, there are those who prefer to believe that what really killed him was the outcome of the Super Bowl LV.

“The time will come when his memory will bring a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eyes.” (Joe Biden)

He is preceded in death by his parents, Mildred and Donald Chisholm, Kansas City. MO.

He is survived by his beloved wife of eighteen years, Barbara Rauscher Chisholm, Gladstone, MO., his sister, Nan Elizabeth Chisholm, Kansas City, MO., his son from a previous marriage, William Alexander Chisholm, his daughter-in-law Jessica, his three grandchildren, Ellinor Patricia, Audrey Susan and William Riley of Bonner Springs, KS., his four cousins, Jimmy Gilmer, Amarillo, TX., Jane Gilmer Reichert, Wenatchee, WA., Patricia Ice Utz, Weddington, NC., Evelyn Ice Logue, Columbia, MO., and his former wife Susan Martineek.

A memorial will be held when the weather is warmer and the pandemic less menacing.

Donations may be made to a charity of your choice or one that supports improving the lives of animals.