Rufus W. “Bill” Davenport, 89, of Higginsville, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2026 at Meyer Care Center with his wife and immediate family by his side. He was born June 23, 1936 in Clinton, MO to Rufus and Emma May (Gordon) Davenport, Sr. They moved to Higginsville in 1941. Bill was part of the Higginsville High School conference winning football team in 1953 and graduated in 1954. He signed up with the Army Reserves from 1957-1963. He worked at Bird’s DX station for a while. In 1961 he went to work for Missouri Vet Supply, owned by Dr. Sigars and his wife. They had helped Bill’s family, when Bill’s dad died in 1952. Bill worked for them for 25 years. From 1986-1992 Bill worked for Buck’s Country Mart. Bill _nished his career working for the Higginsville School district from 1992-2010, where he enjoyed interacting with all the kids. Bill married Marilyn Gadt on September 28, 1958 at the Salem United Church of Christ. They were both very active in many areas of the church. Bill served as an usher and an elder. They enjoyed the Lunar Naughts couples group. Bill also served on the volunteer _re department. He enjoyed _shing in his free time, but was always happy to lend a hand to his sons, or anyone else who needed help, on a project. He is preceded in death by a sister, Pat Wiegers; 2 grandsons, Dalton Wilkinson and Alan Michael Davenport. He is survived by his Wife, Marilyn, his 2 sons, Michael and his wife Gewn of Grain Valley; Shawn and his wife Julie of Odessa, his daughter Michelle and her husband Kevin of Higginsville; 5 Grandchildren, Kelsey and Justin, Sharla and Clark, Karley and JJ, Wyatt and Bailey, Mason; 7 Great Grand Children, Keaston, Wynn, Koe, Scout, Krew, Harrison, Navy Visitation will be held on Monday, May 11 th from 5:30-7:30 pm, at Salem United Church of Christ. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, May 12 th at 10:30 am, at the church, ociated by Chaplain Devin Hackler. He will be buried at the Salem UCC Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Fielding D’s Dreams (Dalton Wilkinson), Salem UCC, 3 Rivers Hospice.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.kaiserwiegers.com