Bill Bump died on January 27, 2026, at home, surrounded by family. He was born in Dighton, Kansas on September 23, 1945, the youngest son of Stephen and Alice Bump. Growing up, he lived in small towns across western Kansas and graduated from Morland High School. He got his Bachelors degree from Wichita State University and his Masters in Divinity from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA.
Bill met his life partner, Linda Marcy McNeilly, and married her on January 16, 1971 in Wichita, Kansas. He dedicated his life to ministry, becoming a pastor and serving the communities he lived in. He and Marcy moved to Pasadena shortly after being married for Bill to attend Fuller Seminary, where he also worked for Teens for Christ. After he graduated, they moved to Seattle, WA where he became the associate pastor at First Free Methodist Church. This is where their first two children, Ryan and Andrea, were born. His first head pastor position was at Wheaton Free Methodist in Wheaton, IL from 1979 to 1987, where his youngest child Brendon was born, and then Our Redeemer Free Methodist in Elgin, Illinois from 1987 to 1990. The family then moved across the country to Bellevue, Washington where he pastored Eastside Free Methodist, which then merged and became Timberlake Christian Fellowship, from 1990 to 2002. He spent the remainder of his years in Lawrence, Kansas to be closer to his and Marcy’s aging parents, pastoring Lawrence Free Methodist from 2002 until he retired in 2018. After retiring, he decided that retired life was not as fun as it sounded, and he became a chaplain with the First Responder Chaplain Association, serving Douglas County from 2018 until he passed.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marcy; his son Ryan (and wife Silke) Bump; his daughter Andrea (and husband Shawn) Ridings; and son Brendon (and wife Laurie) Bump; as well as his grandchildren and biggest blessings Aiden, Devyn, Islyn, Greyson, Acein, Amaia, Jonah, Zakai, and Evelin. Also surviving is his last remaining sibling, his brother Jerry (and wife Nola) Bump; a sister in law Jeanette; and many nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.
It would not seem right to talk about Bill’s life and not mention his love of sports. He found many ways to intertwine his ministry with his love for sports. Countless families have seen him show up for their kids at sporting events. Bill loved all sports, but baseball most of all. He loved watching his son Brendon play all the way through college and made sure he visited during baseball season when he transitioned to coaching; he attended countless baseball practices, games, and tournaments for his grandsons. He loved to watch his granddaughters play soccer and sat through miserable weather many times without complaint. He absolutely loved watching his grandkids play the sports they loved and he was their biggest fan.
When he was diagnosed with ALS in September of 2024, he faced it with dignity and grace. He did not complain or feel sorry for himself; he was grateful for the life he had lived. This was partly because it was not the first time he had been given a fatal diagnosis. He had been sent home with his parents at 9 years old by doctors who told them he should die at home surrounded by family. This was after being diagnosed with a muscular disease so rare, he was documented with photos and written about in medical journals. He was prayed for by people around the world and God heard those prayers and knew he was meant to do great things with his life. He spared him then and Bill lived the remainder of his life as someone who knew he had been given a miracle; he was the miracle.
His life was devoted to serving others. He didn’t do it by preaching sermons or impressing people with his knowledge of the Bible. He did it by showing genuine care. He truly lived as the hands and feet of Jesus. He treated people the way Jesus did without judging them based on their education, income, past, or whether they were Christian. He saw people for who they were. He knew everyone’s name, their children’s names, what school they went to, and what sports they played. He showed up to school plays, games, graduations and important milestones.
This is his legacy: the love he poured into others from a heart full of real kindness. He was always smiling and never had a negative word to say about anyone. He made people feel seen, heard and important. That can’t be taught. It was simply who he was. We will miss him endlessly. His presence never went unnoticed, and his absence is felt every single day in so many ways.
A visitation will take place from 10-11 a.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026 at River City Church. Bill’s celebration of life service will be held immediately following the visitation at 11 a.m, 3001 Lawrence Avenue in Lawrence, Kansas.
The family suggests memorial contributions to First Responder Chaplain Association, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
Time with cousin Bill was always a special blessing with lots of laughs. His diagnosis at age 9 came right before our family moved to California. Thankfully God healed him and I was able to spend summers in Kansas and get reacquainted with Bill during our early teens and to witness his love for the Lord. During his time at Fuller, he and Marcy spent time with us on holidays, when in Bellevue we visited and enjoyed time with them on an island off Seattle, compliments of the Goodnights. It was always a treat to see Bill and Marcy when they would visit Andrea and Shawn while they were stationed in San Diego. Bill blessed our family by doing our father’s (his uncle’s) memorial. Bill drove from Lawrence a few years ago for a family reunion in Jetmore which was my last and most precious time with this amazing man who dedicated himself to serving the Lord and to serving others. We kept in contact by text after his diagnosis of ALS. My heart aches to be able to that just once more and I can only imagine how his family must miss him yet I know he is where he belongs whole, healed and most importantly with the Lord.
Our family has not been in Lawrence for many years but it was a pleasure to know Pastor Bump and sit under his teaching while we were there. A wise and kind man who exemplified a Christian life well lived. My deepest sympathies to his family but also rejoicing in the homecoming and celebration he has for all of eternity with our Lord and Savior.
I am heartbroken to read of Bill’s passing. He was our family’s pastor several years ago. There are not many days that go by that I don’t think of Bill’s messages and the impact they had on our lives. We are lifting his family in prayer.
Bill was an amazing pastor and teacher of the Bible. We enjoyed his sermons immensely and was honored that he officiated our daughters wedding.
I learned a lot from his sermons at Lawrence Free Methodist (River City) Church. He will be missed!
Pastor Bill baptized me in a lake south of Lawrence KS in June of 2007. My husband, Kimball (baptized by Pastor Rick Ostrander simultaneously with me), & I spent many Lord’s Days in the same seat receiving the Word through his lips, always wanting to return & hear more, eventually giving our lives to Christ. We will forever be grateful for the Lord working in so many lives through Bill Bump on this side of glory. Rest in peace brother, I know you’re rejoicing in the face of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your service to our Lord! God bless your family as our hearts go out to them. Your life has been an inspiration.