William Robert Curtis, born in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany on March 14, 1956, died in his sleep at Creekside at Elfindale on Saturday March 27, 2021. His parents, Wesley James Curtis and Irene Helen (Kinnaird) Curtis were devoted to their disabled, youngest child, who had been diagnosed with early onset schizophrenia at the age of 12. At that time the full extent of the autism spectrum was not widely understood. William's childhood behaviors were more consistent with that developmental disorder. William grew up on Army posts in Germany, Kansas, Virginia and Maryland. His parents and William moved to Springfield in 1973, after his father retired from the military.
As a first grader William could read and memorize fairy tales so well teachers at his elementary school had him recite stories to their classes as an occasional treat. He retained his fascination with words and the subtle differences between synonyms his entire life. He loved music of all kinds: Strauss waltzes, Broadway musicals, hymns and the classic country songs he first listened to as a small child on a 45rpm "needlewack" with his Grandad Curtis. William was a phenomenal repository of family stories and events, usually remembering not only the dates but the days of the week as well.
William worked at SWI Inc. (formerly Springfield Sheltered Workshop) for nearly forty years. His last workday was the day before he died. He also benefited from Burrell Behavioral Health's services.
Besides his parents, William was preceded in death by his aunt and uncles, Edith (Curtis) Fawver, Robert Fawver and John Kinnaird. He is survived by his sister, Carol Curtis; his brother John W. Curtis and his wife Margaret Sarkela and their children, John V. Curtis and Sarah E. Curtis and her husband and their son; his aunt Joan (Kennedy) Kinnaird and her son John D. Kinnaird; and his other cousins, Stephen B. Kinnaird and his wife Amanda Moak and Sue (Fawver) Godshall and her husband, Kenneth and their families.
William was raised in the Episcopal Church and converted to Catholicism late in life.
William's ashes were interred next to his beloved mother's in the columbarium of Christ Episcopal Church, Springfield.
Published in News-Leader Apr. 11, 2021.
As a first grader William could read and memorize fairy tales so well teachers at his elementary school had him recite stories to their classes as an occasional treat. He retained his fascination with words and the subtle differences between synonyms his entire life. He loved music of all kinds: Strauss waltzes, Broadway musicals, hymns and the classic country songs he first listened to as a small child on a 45rpm "needlewack" with his Grandad Curtis. William was a phenomenal repository of family stories and events, usually remembering not only the dates but the days of the week as well.
William worked at SWI Inc. (formerly Springfield Sheltered Workshop) for nearly forty years. His last workday was the day before he died. He also benefited from Burrell Behavioral Health's services.
Besides his parents, William was preceded in death by his aunt and uncles, Edith (Curtis) Fawver, Robert Fawver and John Kinnaird. He is survived by his sister, Carol Curtis; his brother John W. Curtis and his wife Margaret Sarkela and their children, John V. Curtis and Sarah E. Curtis and her husband and their son; his aunt Joan (Kennedy) Kinnaird and her son John D. Kinnaird; and his other cousins, Stephen B. Kinnaird and his wife Amanda Moak and Sue (Fawver) Godshall and her husband, Kenneth and their families.
William was raised in the Episcopal Church and converted to Catholicism late in life.
William's ashes were interred next to his beloved mother's in the columbarium of Christ Episcopal Church, Springfield.
Published in News-Leader Apr. 11, 2021.
William Robert Curtis, born in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany on March 14, 1956, died in his sleep at Creekside at Elfindale on Saturday March 27, 2021. His parents, Wesley James Curtis and Irene Helen (Kinnaird) Curtis were devoted to their disabled, youngest child, who had been diagnosed with early onset schizophrenia at the age of 12. At that time the full extent of the autism spectrum was not widely understood. William's childhood behaviors were more consistent with that developmental disorder. William grew up on Army posts in Germany, Kansas, Virginia and Maryland. His parents and William moved to Springfield in 1973, after his father retired from the military.
As a first grader William could read and memorize fairy tales so well teachers at his elementary school had him recite stories to their classes as an occasional treat. He retained his fascination with words and the subtle differences between synonyms his entire life. He loved music of all kinds: Strauss waltzes, Broadway musicals, hymns and the classic country songs he first listened to as a small child on a 45rpm "needlewack" with his Grandad Curtis. William was a phenomenal repository of family stories and events, usually remembering not only the dates but the days of the week as well.
William worked at SWI Inc. (formerly Springfield Sheltered Workshop) for nearly forty years. His last workday was the day before he died. He also benefited from Burrell Behavioral Health's services.
Besides his parents, William was preceded in death by his aunt and uncles, Edith (Curtis) Fawver, Robert Fawver and John Kinnaird. He is survived by his sister, Carol Curtis; his brother John W. Curtis and his wife Margaret Sarkela and their children, John V. Curtis and Sarah E. Curtis and her husband and their son; his aunt Joan (Kennedy) Kinnaird and her son John D. Kinnaird; and his other cousins, Stephen B. Kinnaird and his wife Amanda Moak and Sue (Fawver) Godshall and her husband, Kenneth and their families.
William was raised in the Episcopal Church and converted to Catholicism late in life.
William's ashes were interred next to his beloved mother's in the columbarium of Christ Episcopal Church, Springfield.
Published in News-Leader Apr. 11, 2021.
As a first grader William could read and memorize fairy tales so well teachers at his elementary school had him recite stories to their classes as an occasional treat. He retained his fascination with words and the subtle differences between synonyms his entire life. He loved music of all kinds: Strauss waltzes, Broadway musicals, hymns and the classic country songs he first listened to as a small child on a 45rpm "needlewack" with his Grandad Curtis. William was a phenomenal repository of family stories and events, usually remembering not only the dates but the days of the week as well.
William worked at SWI Inc. (formerly Springfield Sheltered Workshop) for nearly forty years. His last workday was the day before he died. He also benefited from Burrell Behavioral Health's services.
Besides his parents, William was preceded in death by his aunt and uncles, Edith (Curtis) Fawver, Robert Fawver and John Kinnaird. He is survived by his sister, Carol Curtis; his brother John W. Curtis and his wife Margaret Sarkela and their children, John V. Curtis and Sarah E. Curtis and her husband and their son; his aunt Joan (Kennedy) Kinnaird and her son John D. Kinnaird; and his other cousins, Stephen B. Kinnaird and his wife Amanda Moak and Sue (Fawver) Godshall and her husband, Kenneth and their families.
William was raised in the Episcopal Church and converted to Catholicism late in life.
William's ashes were interred next to his beloved mother's in the columbarium of Christ Episcopal Church, Springfield.
Published in News-Leader Apr. 11, 2021.
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