Edward R. Hilligoss

Edward Raymond “Ed” Hilligoss was born March 2, 1934, in Kansas City, Missouri. Adopted as an infant, early years were spent in Weston, Missouri. Ed’s Dad had a shoe repair shop there; the family lived in an apartment at the back of the shop. Ed was proud of his humble beginnings and liked to tell stories of having a happy boyhood in spite of a lack of “things.” 

Even as a kid, Ed was generous—sharing his allowance with his sister or a pal. That trait stuck lifelong as he supported numerous causes from church to the local food bank to animal shelters to MD Anderson, City Union Mission and more. He wouldn’t want it published, but he delighted in being anonymous, a secret Secret Santa. 

Shortly after December 7, 1941, when America was thrust into World War II, his family moved to Kansas City and Ed’s father went to work in a defense plant. While there he felt a call to the ministry, completed the necessary educational requirements, earned his degree and became a Southern Baptist pastor. Ed was impressed by how his parents sacrificed to make this happen. Fitting easily into the role of “preacher’s kid,” even as a teen he was known as a good guy.

While attending Northeast High in Kansas City, he and Gayle Stevenson met in a drama class and soon became a couple, he graduating in 1952 and she in 1953. They married at the end of her senior year and would have celebrated their 72nd anniversary on April 17 of this year. 

Ed had a few early jobs, but in 1958 Bob Gall and Dennis Taylor, owners of Strike ’n Spare Bowl in Independence, brought him onboard and Ed found the work that would define him for the next 25 years and beyond. This became more than a job; it was a blending of families— wonderful Christmas Eves together, amazing Fourth of Julys, football and baseball games, conventions at the Lake. Friendships formed that truly lasted a lifetime. 

In 1976 Ed and Gayle built a home in Lee’s Summit on three acres abutting a wildlife preserve. Ed used his landscaping skills to transform the property, planting scores of trees, grape arbors, f lowering shrubs, hundreds of tulips, daffodils and his favorite hyacinths. Ed was the guy who shared his abundant garden produce, cleared his neighbor’s snow and who was there whenever help was needed. Brimming with fond memories of family gatherings and neighborhood get togethers, this was home through Ed’s retirement from Strike ’n Spare in 1983.

 In 1985 Ed accepted an offer of “a little part time job” at Automatic Data Processing in Lenexa, Kansas. The little job turned out to be a second career; Ed retired again in 1999. When the big yard became a challenge to maintain, in 2006 Ed and Gayle downsized, moving to a house they designed and had built in Pleasant Hill. 

From the time the Kansas Chiefs came to Kansas City in 1963 Ed was a fan. During the early ‘70s when the team struggled and it was hard to even give away tickets, Ed kept his season seats. Steadfast, on game days during his stay at Foxwood Springs, Ed still enjoyed being decked out in Chiefs gear. 

Faith being an integral part of Ed’s life, with each move he stayed in church. While still a member of Big Creek Baptist Church, in recent years Ed faithfully attended tv church, filling dozens of tablets with sermon notes. Ed loved the old hymns. And he actually wore out Bibles. For decades he kept an updated prayer list of family, friends, neighbors and others. If he knew you or of you, he surely prayed for you. Anyone who knew Ed knew he loved the Lord.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Raymond and Lois Esther (Aldrich) Hilligoss; a son, Edward Allen Hilligoss; a great-granddaughter, Audra Skye Firestone; and his sister Esther Gammill. 

He is survived by his wife, Gayle; two daughters, Susan (and Jack) Genova of Overland Park, and Jeanne (and Denny) Dula of San Antonio; daughter-in-law Denise (Laval) Hilligoss of Houston; brother-in-law Kyle Laval of Lone Jack; four grandchildren, Emily Hilligoss of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Elizabeth Hilligoss of Katy, Texas, Carrie (and Ezra) Firestone of Accord, New York, and Michael Nelson of Laredo, Texas; one great-grandchild, Isaac Firestone and a wealth of loved relatives and friends. 

Among the extraordinary people who stepped up during the seven months Ed was away from home: Monica, John, Julia, Kyle, Julie, Carrie, Jean, Tracy, Cheryl, Susie, Jack, Lori, Lois, Wilma, Becky, Stephanie and the book club girls. A heartfelt thank you to all. 

Ed departed this life just days shy of his 91st birthday. The family wishes to thank the staff, nurses, aides and nurse assistants at Pleasant Hill Health and Rehab Center, Foxwood Springs Senior Care and Ascend Hospice who were not only caregivers but friends to the man they unfailingly described as “sweet.” 

Visitation will be held 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 2, 2025, at the funeral home.

A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Wyatt Shanks will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift to MD Anderson Cancer Center, City Union Mission, or a charity close to your heart is suggested; these may be sent in care of the funeral home. 

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.Stanley-Edenburn.com

Arrangements: Stanley-Edenburn Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong St., Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080 (816) 540-5550