John Wyss

Walter John Wyss II, 63, of Columbia, died on Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, in Columbia.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 1:15 p.m. at Broadway Christian Church, 2601 West Broadway in Columbia. Rev. Kim Ryan and Rev. Jacob Thorne will officiate. The family will greet friends after the service.

Mr. Wyss was born on Oct. 6, 1945, in Mexico, a son of Walter John and Veda Catherine (Atkins) Wyss. He graduated from Mexico High School. He received an Associate Degree in Business from Hannibal-LaGrange College, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Missouri State College. He also attended Lexington Theological Seminary.

On March 21, 1969, he married Barbara Jean Boedeker in Warrensburg. Mrs. Wyss survives at the home.

He worked in specialized maintenance for the public school system, most recently with the Columbia Public Schools where he had worked for 17 years. He was a member of the Broadway Christian Church where he had served as a Deacon; He also was active in the Missouri River Valley Steam Engine Association and the Osage Steam Engine Association. He enjoyed playing bluegrass music with friends.

In addition to his wife, a daughter, Renée Wyss, Columbia; two brothers, Fred Wyss, Columbia, and Tim Wyss, Mexico; and one sister, Ann Barone, Columbia, survive.

Memorials may be made to the Broadway Christian Church, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, Missouri River Valley Steam Engine Association or Community Hospices of America.