William Thomas Bancroft, whom everyone knew as Bill, was born on 1/20/33 and grew up in Mineral Ridge, Ohio with his parents Harold and Rhoda Bancroft as well as his brothers Kenneth and Dick. After graduating high school, Bill met Betty Rose Richley at a diner she worked at and the drives home eventually turned into a trip where they were married in Niles, OH on October 4, 1951. Bill went on to become a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. In July of 1954, he and Betty welcomed a son, William Thomas Bancroft II. A graduate from Youngstown University in 1957, he became a metallurgical engineer for Western Electric. While he remained in Ohio until the 60s, due to work, he and the family moved to Pennsylvania where they stayed until moving to Missouri in the 70s building a home off Milton Thompson in Blue Springs, MO. After retiring, Bill went to work for five more years with Habitat for Humanity. William was described as a homebody who liked to piddle around in the basement, who never passed up ice cream, and always had a stash of cookies or candy on hand to fulfill his sweet tooth.

William passed peacefully on 1/5/24 at 90 years old with 73 years of marriage with Betty, leaving behind three grandchildren: Thomas Bancroft, Rocchina Bruner, and William (Bill) Thomas Bancroft III, and great-grandchildren: Jaxson, Karina, Evelyn, Remington, Kipton, Ryker, Billy, and Lincoln.

Arrangements by Langsford Funeral Home, 115 SW 3rd Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063