William Harvey

William Cornell Harvey, age 84, of Jamesport, Missouri, passed away Monday evening, February 9, 2026 at Hedrick Medical Center in Chillicothe, Missouri.

William was born on October 24, 1941, in Martinez, California, the son of Arthur Robert Harvey and Afton  June(Cornell) Harvey. In August of 1966 he married Sandra Lee Shurtleff in the Oakland Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Sandra, “Sandie,” passed away 5 January, 1983.  On 5 May 1983 he married  LaRee Kay Westover Harvey, who survives of the home.

His family moved from Martinez to Vallejo, CA where he attended school.  He raised and sold rabbits  as a boy.  He became an avid reader, especially of science fiction, and his family sometimes called him “the professor.”  In school he especially liked his shop classes and began working on cars at an early age.  He also easily made friends in his neighborhood, church, where he was active in scouting, and school where he participated in music and drama. His parents were folk dance teachers; Will loved traveling with them to all the places they taught and performed, and became an excellent dancer himself.

A faithful Christian and devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, William served a mission for the Church in the West Central States mission, primarily serving in Montana.  He was proficient in learning and memorizing missionary lessons and scripture.  Mission leaders assigned him to train other young men in developing patterns of self-discipline and effective gospel teaching.  He provided church service in numerous callings throughout his whole life including stake missionary, Elder’s Quorum President, seminary teacher, High Priest Group Leader, Bishop’s counselor,  President of the Chillicothe Branch, and Temple Ordinance Worker among others.  He also was a volunteer pastor at the Women’s correctional center in Chillicothe where he served both as a gospel teacher, and also in the infirmary offering comfort and guidance

Following his mission, he courted and married his first wife and began college, studying both at Brigham Young University, and, returning to California, Diablo Valley College.  His education was interrupted by the Vietnam War.  He attended basic training in Fort Lewis, Washington.  Once in Vietnam he was sent out to various installations to set up ground radio stations.  For most of his tour of duty he was an aviator, flying OV1 Mohawks doing surveillance and gathering intelligence.  Thereafter he continued a strong interest in aviation.

He used his mechanical skills to support his family working for a bus company, and trucking companies.  He later returned to college,  studying at College of Southern Idaho, and then graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in teaching from Idaho State University. He spent several years in elementary education in Idaho, and after moving to Missouri, taught at the alternative school.  He specialized in science and math, but especially loved two courses he developed in Principles of Flight, and a Humanities course he called “traditions.”  He was certified in  Missouri Options, a program that helped students get a G. Ed. 

He was known for his quick wit and kind sense of humor, wisdom, and non-judgmental love for everyone with whom he came in contact.  He deeply loved his family

William was preceded in death by his daughter, Kirstin Kimberly Harvey; his parents; and his siblings, Robert “ Robin” Harvey, Thomas”Tommy” Harvey, and Rosalie. He is survived by his loving wife, LaRee Harvey of Jamesport, Missouri; his children, Karalie Ann Dignan (Jim) of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, Brandon Harvey of Jamesport, Missouri, and Maren Elizabeth Meldrum (Ryan) of Orem, Utah; his sister, Carol June Montoya of Cummings, Georgia; and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggest to LaRee Harvey for the purchase of Will's headstone memorial in care of the funeral home. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Clear Creek Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Gallatin, Missouri. Arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Stith Funeral Home in Jamesport, Missouri (660) 684-6133. An online guestbook is available at www.stithfamilyfunerals.com.

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