James Tatum

James W. “Bill” Tatum, 90, Independence, MO; passed away April 25, 2013. Services will be 2 pm, Monday, April 29 at Carson-Speaks Chapel. 1501 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64052; interment at Blue Springs Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 1 pm before the service. Bill was born March 18, 1923 in Kansas City, MO and graduated from East High School. He was a pipe fitter for thirty-four years at the Standard Oil Co. refinery in Sugar Creek before retiring in 1981. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WW II, a member of the VFW and the Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of the Mt. Washington United Methodist Church for over fifty years and had sung in the Chancel Choir in years past. Bill and his wife enjoyed traveling. He loved Westerns, ballroom dancing and always enjoyed coaching his son’s baseball team. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Norma Jean Tatum. He is survived by son Barry Tatum and wife Joyce, Lee’s Summit, MO; daughter Patricia Otstott and husband Dick, San Francisco, CA; grandson Mark Tatum and wife Mindy, Kansas City, MO; granddaughter Jody Fristoe and husband Daren, Lee’s Summit, MO;Great Grandchildren Adam Fristoe, Emma Fristoe, Sam Tatum, Marlo Tatum and Penelope Tatum