Pastor William F. Snorgrass

Obituary William Foster Snorgrass was born August 8, 1951 in Sedalia, Missouri to John Chism and Frances Helen Snorgrass Blackstone. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, William Jordan Snorgrass, maternal grandparents, Richard and Eva Snorgrass, Stepmother, Darlene Chism, and infant brother, Richard Rueben Blackstone. Pastor Snorgrass was no stranger to learning. He attended Lincoln Hubbard Elementary, and graduated from Smith-Cotton High School, located in Sedalia, Missouri, in 1969. In June of 1970, he entered the United States Navy, where he served for two years on active duty, later serving another two years in the Naval Reserves. Pastor Snorgrass continued his education at Central Institute of Technology (known as DeVry Institute) and graduated in 1975 in Kansas City, Missouri. He also attended Penn Valley Community College for two years before transferring to Western Baptist Bible College, graduating with an Associate Degree in Bible Theology. May 13, 1987, he graduated from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas and received a Bachelor’s of Science (Human Relations) in 1999. In addition, studied at Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Kansas. August 14, 2011, he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Christian Minister’s Alliance, Inc. located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was the youngest recipient out of eight to receive this honor. Pastor Snorgrass accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age while attending Wards Memorial Missionary Baptist Church under the late Reverend J.E. Erickson in Sedalia, Missouri. He met his wife, Annetta, at an early age in Versailles, MO and married at the tender age of 19, in1970. The two relocated to Kansas City, Missouri. In the summer of 1977, he, along with his wife and two daughters, rededicated their lives to the Lord and united with Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, Kansas City, Missouri, under the late Reverend A.M. Hudson, Sr. He served in many areas as a Jr. Laymen’s Counselor. Sunday School Teacher, BTU Youth Director, the Laymen’s Male Chorus and other areas as needed. Pastor Snorgrass accepted his call to the ministry in 1979 and in September of 1981, he was ordained and began serving as Assistant to the Pastor under Reverend A.M. Hudson, Sr. He served in this position until the retirement of Pastor Hudson in November of 1988. He then served as Interim Pastor for Progressive Missionary Baptist Church for one year. November 17, 1989, Progressive was led by the Holy Spirit to call William F. Snorgrass as their Pastor. December 17, 1989, he was installed as Pastor and served in that position for thirty three years until his passing. During his tenure, he served in a many roles in and outside of the church. Pastor Snorgrass served as President of New Era Missionary Baptist District Congress of Christian Education and was the former President of the Jackson County Board of One Church One Child Adoption Program. He also served as Recording Executive Secretary and Moderator for the New Era District Association. He instructed many classes within both District and State Congress of Christian Education. He served as Vice President at large for the Missionary Baptist State Convention and served in the Baptist Minister’s Union of Kansas City. Pastor Snorgrass was employed at Honeywell, formerly known as Bendix, for fourteen years prior to becoming full time Pastor. During his employment, he was recognized as a Black Pioneer by Honeywell Black Pioneers Association. He had also received an award from the Kansas City Globe as “100 Most Influential Blacks” in Kansas city, Missouri. Pastor Snorgrass enjoyed and loved spending time with his family. He took initiative to have family night every month. During his pastime, he loved watching Westerns, listening to all genres of music, watching sports (GOOO CHIEFS), spoiling his family, and was very particular about the yard. He enjoyed sitting out on his patio and just meditating. His greatest passion was his “babies”…he LOVED his grandchildren! Despite his health issues the last several years, Pastor Snorgrass was determined to “not give up…but use what God gave him” the best he could. Even with having to use oxygen while proclaiming the Word, Pastor Snorgrass used every breath he had to praise the Lord and feed his flock. He continued to fight until the Lord chose to let him know it was time to stack up his hymn books and Bible and come to the place which He had prepared for him. On March 29, with his family right by his side, Pastor Snorgrass exhaled his last breath and inhaled the eternal breath of life. He served. He fought and now has the victory! He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of fifty two years, Annetta Snorgrass, two daughters, Tylett Snorgrass-Rentie, Lee’s Summit, MO, Shekina Snorgrass, Raymore, MO, one granddaughter, who he called “Baby-Bear” Tyshionna Snorgrass, Atlanta, GA, two grandson’s, William Tyree Snorgrass, Kansas City, MO, River Rentie, Lee’s Summit, MO, one great-grandson, Legend Johnson, Atlanta, GA, three sisters, Joyce Foster (Walter) Sedalia, MO, Lois Alleyne (Leslie) Columbia, MO, Donna Walls (Lester) Terry, MS, three brothers, James Snorgrass, Columbia, MO, John Wade Chism (Patricia) of Versailles, MO, Joseph W. Snorgrass (Cheryl), Kansas City, KS, and many other relatives and loved ones. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2023, 11:00am at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church. Interment Crown Hill Cemetery, Sedalia, Missouri. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 7, from 10:00am-2:00pm at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church and Saturday, April 8, from 9:00am-11:00am at the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church. Services conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolence may be shared on our website. Services will be livestreamed on https://youtube.com/@dignifieddigitaltvnetwork To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Pastor William F. Snorgrass, please visit our floral store. Read More

Pastor William F. Snorgrass

August 8, 1951 - March 29, 2023