Dr. William “Bill” Terrell
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In Loving Memory of Dr. William “Bill” Terrell
March 10, 1936 – August 27, 2025
Dr. William “Bill” Terrell, a Wichita State professor of Economics for 32 years, passed away peacefully at his residence in Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of 89. Bill was loved and respected as a son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, friend and neighbor as well as a passionate educator.
With a humble upbringing in the small town of Hominy, Oklahoma, he attended a country school with indigenous children in Osage county. The adventures and joyful moments he shared with students who were different than him, taught him the importance of not discriminating against anyone. He remained connected to Hominy High School throughout his life.
He treasured his time at Oklahoma State, where he played in big bands and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. Bill was also a lifetime member of the academic fraternity Phi Kappa Phi. From there, he earned his BS in Economics and Spanish, an MS in Economics, and his Ph.D. at Vanderbilt University. He and Fay met at Yellowstone National Park in 1957 and recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.
Bill spent the majority of his career at Wichita State University as a professor of Economics. He was awarded a Fulbright scholarship and a sabbatical leave to live and teach at universities in Lima, Peru, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was elected Senate president of the Wichita State faculty.
Following his retirement from the university in 1999, he became a consultant in statistical quality control and testified as an expert witness in over 300 trials.
Bill enjoyed playing the piano and listening to music, particularly jazz and ragtime composers like Cole Porter and Scott Joplin. The classical composers he loved were Chopin, Beethoven and Liszt. His music legacy is evident through his children and grandchildren.
Bill enjoyed traveling with his young family across the United States and, later in life, traveling abroad with Fay.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed various activities, including swimming in the creek with his younger brother, reading, studying a multitude of subjects, writing research papers, and teaching Sunday school. In his later years, he enjoyed lunches with his fellow faculty members and friends, as well as spending time with his grandchildren.
A recurring theme throughout his life was his willingness to take risks, learn, and commit to his family. Bill summarized his life philosophy as, “It is never too late to take that first step towards growth in a new direction.”
Chief among his good characteristics was his deep love and appreciation for his three daughters, his grandchildren, as well as his firm affection and love for Fay.
William “Bill” Theodore was preceded in death by; parents, Norma and Thurman Terrell, brother, Robert Terrell. He is survived by: wife, Fay Terrell; daughter, Jennifer (Salvador); granddaughter, Chiara; daughter, Sarah; granddaughter, Cleo; daughter, Susanna (Nathan); grandchildren, Ethan (Ally), Alaina and Oliver.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, 2:30 PM, September 20, 2025 at Heartland Cremation & Burial Society, 6113 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO 6413. Friends may visit from 2:00 – 2:30 PM prior to the service. We invite all who attend to consider wearing colorful clothing to honor Bill.
Live Stream Link: Dr. William “Bill” Terrell LIVE STREAM LINK
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wichita State University for student scholarships in the School of Economics, follow link https://foundation.wichita.edu/memorials-honors/ or submit a check payable to: WSU Foundation and in the memo write: Bill Terrell Memorial and mail to: WSU Foundation, 1845 Fairmount Campus Box 2. Wichita, KS 67260-0002.
Bill was so kind to me when I first came to Wichita State. I was a lowly adjunct, but from the first he treated me as a full-time member of the department. When I was asked to teach statistics and had no idea how to do it, he shared his materials with me. When I was asked to teach managerial statistics at Beech, he helped me with that as well. I can’t even remember all the stuff I asked him. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Dr. Terrell was a great colleague and a dear friend. He set high standards in teaching and was highly respected by his students, both domestic and international. He and his wife Fay continued to donate money generously to the Economics Department years after his retirement. He left a legacy of combing intellect and practicality through developing an economic model for the Kansas Child Support Program. My deepest condolences.
I was saddened to hear of “cousin Bill’s” passing. My mother Elaine often told stories about the antics of Bill & Bob while visiting them in Hominy, OK. I really appreciated Bill keeping in touch with my father after my mother died. He would send emails full of short jokes and call just to check in with him. I will miss his occasional calls to me and his interest in the lives of me & my wife. He was just a great guy!
So sorry to hear about Bill’s passing. We had talked by phone a few weeks ago and knew he had some health issues. He was a good friend and a wonderful colleague. The more recent hires by the Economics Department have missed the chance to interact with a great economist and vibrant personality. Our thoughts go out to Faye at this time.
Dr. Terrell and I were faculty members of the WSU Economics Department for many years. We had a common connection with Oklahoma State University. He had a Masters Degree and I had a Ph.D Degree from OSU. Dr. Terrell had a masterful knowledge of History of Economic Thought. His class in this subject always attracted the most serious students of Economics. Through his work with the University Faculty Senate he had a very positive influence on University issues.
We, my wife Jeanine and I, enjoyed many social engagements/dinners with Bill and Fay. Our heartful condolences are extended to Fay and the Terrell family.
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My heartfelt condolences to Fay, the Terrell family and all of his friends. I met Dr. Terrell through the WSU Economics Department network. While he left the department in 1999, I joined the department in 2000. He was very kind to me and enthusiastically shared with me his research regarding families’ expenditures raising children as well as his viewpoints on motivating and teaching college students. His smile was contagious, and his passion for economics and “a life well-lived” was evident.
What an impressive life he had and shared with so many and admired by so many. So loved how well he looked at his current wedding anniversary surrounded by his loving family. Such a huge loss for all the people he touched.
Bill and I both began our careers at WSU in the fall of 1967. Both of us had offices in the same group of offices. Since neither of us had completed our dissertations we spent many evenings working in on them. It was good to have someone to share it with.
Bill was active in the University Senate and played a leadership role in campus politics. He was a good colleague.
I’ve known Bill since I was five years old. My dad and Bill were both professors at WSU and their friendship endured past retirement. They used to love going to their favorite Chinese restaurant in Wichita. Our family lived two doors down from him growing up. Their house was filled with the sounds of his piano playing and his infectious laugh. He spoke fluent Spanish and loved sharing that with his daughter Jenny. Bill was so intelligent and I loved talking to him about all kinds of topics. He will truly be missed by me. He’s been a part of my life for 55 years.