Memorial: 2 p.m. Sept. 3 at Elsberry City Cemetery, Elsberry.
Celebration of life: 4:30 p.m. in St. Louis.
William Gordon (Bill) Sherriff, 88, of Schertz, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 18, 2016.
Bill was born to Elmer and Martha (Bentson) Sherriff in Denver, Colorado, on Oct. 30, 1927. Bill graduated from West High School in Denver in 1945. Immediately after, he enlisted in the Navy to serve in World War II. He served as seaman first class in the ammunitions and net depot at Seal Beach, California, until his discharge in August 1946. He drove trucks for several years before becoming a law enforcement officer at the Los Angeles Police Department in 1956. He retired from the force 20 years later. Bill’s artistic side was demonstrated by his landscape painting and leather craftsmanship.
Beloved husband of Eleanor Alice (Cannon) Sherriff, they married in Pasadena, California, on Feb. 20, 1959, and spent almost 55 years together. They lived in the LA area for many years until his retirement, then lived in Ava and Evergreen, Colorado for several years before returning to Missouri. Bill and Eleanor lived for 25 years in the house they built in Ozark, until moving to Colorado Springs in 2012. Bill lived with his daughter after Eleanor’s death in 2013 and moved to Schertz, Texas with her family in 2014.
Loving husband, father, brother and friend, Bill will be most remembered for his devotion to his wife and family and his sense of humor. He is beloved for his kind soul, patience and ability to listen to others.
Bill is survived by his children, Steven Barry Sherriff of Willets, California, Elizabeth Anne (husband, David) Pettit of Schertz, Texas, Christopher Cannon (wife, Cyndie) Sherriff of Bailey, Colorado, and Patricia Diane Johnson of Williamsburg, Virginia; grandchildren Stephanie, Zackary and Hannah Sherriff, Melissa and William Pettit, Austin, Cole, Lane and Emma Sherriff and Cindy (husband Kendall) Hatch and Clovis Johnson; and two great-grandchildren, Kendall and Clovis Hatch. He is also survived by his sister, Jean (Sherriff) Boyd; as well as two nieces and three nephews. He was predeceased by his wife and his parents.
Carter-Ricks Funeral Homes in Elsberry will be conducting the graveside memorial service.
