Kenneth Wayne Snelling, 95, of Excelsior Springs, passed away on Wednesday Aug. 18, 2021, at Liberty Hospital.

He was born on Sunday, July 18, 1926, in Tindall, Missouri, the son of the late Sylvester and the late Dortha (née Roop) Snelling. 

Kenneth served in WWII in the Navy on the USS Puget Sound CVE 113. He went on to serve in the US Army during the Korean War and was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He married Shirley Geosling on Aug. 25, 1956. They remained married until Shirley died on Mar. 27, 2015. Together they had one son, Troy. 

He worked for Ford Motor Company in Kansas City, from 1948 to 1978. He built engines for most of his career at Ford. He retired from Ford in 1978. After he left Ford, he worked on cars and tractors until 2005. He was a 50-year member of Clay Lodge # 207 AF&AM. He was also an active team roper for many years.

Survivors Include, Troy Snelling, son, of Excelsior Springs, MO; Phyllis Bowman, daughter; Grace Parsons, sister, of Chillicothe, MO; Joan Leslie, sister, of Raytown, MO; Larry Snelling, brother, of Higginsville, MO; Linda (Don) Campbell, sister-in-law, of Excelsior Springs, MO; and many nieces and nephews that will miss him dearly.

Visitation will be Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, at 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., with the Masonic Service to be held from 7:30 – 8 p.m. at Salem Christian Union Church in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.  Funeral will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021, at 1 p.m. at Salem Christian Union Church. Kenneth's burial will follow the funeral at Masonic Cemetery. 

Services will be officiated by Phil Dillion.

Memorial donations may be directed to Salem Christian Union Church, 15701 Salem Rd, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024.