William Gary Ephland, Sr., 78, Peculiar, MO, died Thursday, July 9, 2009 at Crown Care Center in Harrisonville, MO. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 15 at the Atkinson Chapel in Harrisonville. Burial will be in Freeman Cemetery, Freeman, MO. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 14 at the chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads Hospice, 9237 Ward Parkway, Suite 300, Kansas City, MO 64114.

Gary was born March 16, 1931 in Garden City, MO, the son of James Gilbert and Sadie Francis (Davenport) Ephland. He was a graduate of Drexel High School. He married Barbara A. Hedger on December 26, 1965 in the front room of Barbara's parents' home in Drexel.

Gary owned and operated Thompson Bros. Inc. and hauled mail for 19 years before retiring on April 4, 1993. He also drove a special needs bus for the Durham Bus Company. Gary was a member of the Masonic Lodge, "Coldwater Lodge", in Drexel, MO for 15 years and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Peculiar. He enjoyed woodworking and scroll work.

William was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Barbara and two brothers, Charles and John. He is survived by two sons, James Thomas "Tom" Ephland and his wife, Wendy of Garden City, MO and William G. Ephland, Jr. of Overland Park, KS; one daughter, Donita L. Shipman and her husband, John of Sedalia, MO; a sister-in-law, Linda Althouse of Peculiar, MO; five grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends.