William Harold DeBord

William “Harold” DeBord, 85, of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2026. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

Harold was born in Saltville, Virginia, on January 11, 1941, to the late Thomas Ray DeBord and Dosky Ruth Allison Deem. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Phyllis Elizabeth Blevins DeBord; stepfather, Ken Deem; stepmother, Fern DeBord; sister, Deana DeBord; brother, Richard “Rick” DeBord; and nephews, Scott DeBord, Tony Warren, and Paul Pridgen.

He was known by many names—Harold, William, Billy, Herman, Bid D, Pa, and Dad. Regardless of what you called him, his roots ran deep in Southwest Virginia. He was proud to be a Saltville Shaker, an Eagle Scout, an Air Force veteran, and a Southern gentleman.

Harold loved American history and could have taught college classes on the Civil War and the American West. His passion for the past extended beyond books and documentaries. He was a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Mayflower Society and took great pride in learning about and preserving his family's heritage. He lived a remarkable life, becoming a Virginia State Champion football player, playing football while stationed in Libya during his Air Force service, and later playing semi-professional football in Florida. He also worked on the Space Program in the mid-1960s and was among the first several hundred cast members hired at Walt Disney World. He eventually settled into a successful career in banking. Harold never needed an alarm clock; he was driven by a tireless work ethic and an endless desire to learn.

Though naturally an introvert who preferred history books and documentaries to large crowds, Harold was lovingly drawn out of his shell by his high school sweetheart, “Lil Phyl.” Together, they sang karaoke, made lifelong friends, and shared countless adventures. Harold could never pass a roadside historical marker without stopping, and no matter the destination, he always found a route that included a battlefield, fort, or other historic site. He was also known for making cornbread that family and friends eagerly anticipated. A devoted Florida Gators fan, he remained loyal to his roots and his teams, though after moving to Kansas City, he was lovingly “required” by family to become a Chiefs fan as well.

Harold is survived by his son, John DeBord, and daughter-in-law, Gina; grandsons, Luke and Dylan DeBord; sisters-in-law, Darla DeBord and Jeannie Warren; and very special nieces, Dawn Edwards (Robert), Carolyn Messer (Tony), Ruth Anne Carreras (Joe), Tammy Crystal (Greg), and Chandra Gumpert (Richard) and many cousins.

Harold’s love of family, country, history, and learning will be remembered by all who knew him. His legacy lives on through the family and friends who were fortunate enough to share in his life.

More than any accomplishment or adventure, Harold’s greatest joy was the life he built with his beloved Phyllis and the family they cherished together. Harold found meaning in preserving connections to both the past and the people closest to him. He believed that understanding where we come from helps shape who we are, and he passed that appreciation for family, heritage, and lifelong learning to future generations. His love, wisdom, and stories will remain a treasured part of his family’s history for years to come.