William Buckner “Bucky” Kessinger

Dec 16, 2020 | Obituaries, Obituaries 2020 | 8 comments

William Buckner “Bucky” Kessinger, Prairie Village, Kansas passed away Monday, December 14, 2020.

Bucky was born November 8, 1931 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri. He was the son of Joseph Webb Kessinger of Kansas City and Katharine Buckner Kessinger, formerly of Marshall, Missouri. He attended Bryant School, and Pembroke Country Day School in Kansas City. He also spent a year at Belton High School, Belton, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri School of Business in Columbia, Missouri and earned an MBA from Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.

With the beginning of the Korean War, he entered the United States Navy and was stationed as a gunnery officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown in the Western Pacific Theater.

Upon discharge from the Navy, Bucky joined the only firm he ever worked for, John A. Moore and Company, the city’s oldest commercial real estate firm. It later became Moore and Kessinger and finally Kessinger-Hunter and Company, where he concluded his career.

He was a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Garden of the God’s Club in Colorado Springs, Skyline Country Club in Tucson, Arizona, the Mercury Club and the University Club in Kansas City.

Bucky was a member and also served as President of the Kansas City Country Club, Downtown, Inc., the Metro Club and the Vanguard Club.

He was a past director of the American Royal, the Starlight Theater, the Boy’s Club of Kansas City, UMB Financial Corp., and H.B. Oppenheimer and Company.

He was a past governor of the Realtors National Marketing Institute, founding chairman of the Missouri Industrial Development Board, charter member of the National Commercial Investment Realtors Institute and member of CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member).

He served on the board of the Kansas City Industrial Development Authority, The Kansas City Trolley, Powell Gardens, The University Club, and Barstow School Advisory Trustee Council. Bucky was honored by the Barstow School in 2010 with the Honorary Alumni Award.

He was a Johnson County Master Gardener Emirates.

He was president of both the Missouri Alpha Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the Kansas City Chapter of the SAE Alumni Association and The Honor Man of the Year in 1991.

He leaves his wife, Betty Ann (Lulu), his son Joseph Marshall, daughter Katharine Win (Bobby), daughter Kara Anne and eight precious grandchildren; Ellie, Andie, Bucky, Sophie, Jack, Chloe, Caroline, Tommy. Also surviving is beloved twenty-third cat, Emma.

The Kessinger family would like to thank the dedicated staff at Claridge Court Health Center. They cared for Bucky with great love and devotion.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Barstow School or St. Andrews Episcopal Church. Assistance by Funeral Advocates, LLC.

There will be a private family service on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 3:00pm. To join the service virtually, visit www.standrewkc.org/live-worship.

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Peggy Miller

2 years ago

So sorry to hear this. We were neighbors on 63rd Streets and babysitting for all the Kessinger kids!
So sorry for your loss!

Paul S Francis

2 years ago

A full and successful life!

Anne Russ

2 years ago

Sending the whole Kessinger family so much love. We are grieving along with you. ❤️

Kristin Van Voorst

2 years ago

The world lost a wonderful, caring man this week. My heart is broken yet full for having Uncle Bucky in my life. Love and hugs to the entire family.

Helen Wilson

2 years ago

What a wonderful man! A true gentleman who was also so kind to all! Bucky made the world a better place. Love to all of you.

Laura Mackey

2 years ago

Sending lots of love to the beautiful Kessinger family. Joe, Katie and Kara my heart goes out to you all and you will be in our thoughts and prayers. Your dad was a true gentleman and someone to be very proud of always. His pride was his beautiful family.
Love, Laura Mackey

Sharom Orr

2 years ago

Betty and Joe
Rich and I were so sad to hear about Bucky. No matter what the reason, it is still so hard and heartbreaking. We both wish you well and know the void he will leave. We are so sorry and you are in our thoughts.
Sharon and Rich

Matt Giesecke

2 years ago

A great life and a wonderful man

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