William (Bill) Robert Rapps, 66, of Jefferson City, died Thursday, June 17, 2010, at home in Jefferson City, Missouri, after a life-long battle with diabetes. He was born March 30, 1944, in Wichita, Kansas, to Eldon and Lelia (Dobson) Rapps. He graduated from Wichita State University with degrees in English, Sociology and Criminal Justice. He married Judy Fairhurst on June 11, 1966, in Wichita. He spent his young adulthood in the pursuit of justice with the CIA, Sedgwick County Sheriff Department, and Overland Park Police Department.
In 1979, he graduated from University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law and continued to protect those who could not protect themselves as an attorney for the Missouri Department of Social Services. After a 20-year career with DSS, Bill retired in 2000 and had a private law practice.

He married Linda Jensen on August 22, 1986, in Jefferson City, both welcoming the other’s children into a blended family. In 1990, he moved to Holts Summit, where he and Linda raised a bountiful garden. Bill and Linda attended the Central United Church of Christ. Throughout his life, he was closest to God spending time in nature hunting and fishing. Many of his closest friendships and happiest family times were spent enjoying these passions. One journal entry said, “The best day to go fishing is any day you can.” When winter months drove him inside, he loved to tie flies and make jigs in preparation for the following spring. His storytelling would captivate anyone lucky enough to listen. He also enjoyed woodworking.
Bill is survived by his father of Raymore, MO; sister Mary Bodney (Vic) of Leawood, KS; daughters, Julie Hedgcock (Bob) of Oconomowoc, WI; and Christina Luebbert (Bill) of Jefferson City; stepdaughter Kirsten Alvey (Mike) also of Jefferson City; grandchildren Alana Rugen, Aaron Rugen, Zachary Rugen, Dalton Alvey, Henry Luebbert, Beth Luebbert, Jacob Hedgcock and Joshua Hedgcock. He was preceded in death by his mother, second wife, and stepson, Alan Jensen.
Friends will be received from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Sunday, June 20, 2010, at the Houser-Millard Funeral Home. Reverend Stephen Buchholz will celebrate his life at the Central United Church of Christ at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 21, 2010, with interment at Riverview Cemetery immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Camp Hickory Hill. Thank you to all who have cared for Bill in the last years of his illness. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street; Jefferson City, Missouri 65109. (573) 636-3838.