Billy "Bill" W Griffin Jr.

Bill Griffin, 69, of Topeka passed away Monday, January 20, 2025, after a 10-month battle with esophageal cancer.

He was born March 14, 1955, in Moberly, Missouri. The son of Billy W. Griffin, Sr. and Wilma “Chris” (Curtis) Griffin. He was a 1973 graduate of Oak Park High School, Gladstone, Missouri; graduated from the University of Kansas, Bachelor of Liberal Arts, 1977.

Griffin came to Topeka in 1988. He worked for Coca-Cola Bottling Company, State of Kansas, Heartland Park Topeka, 30+ yrs. as a sports broadcaster for KMAJ radio, and in 2021 founded and launched TopSports.News, a website dedicated to Topeka/Shawnee County high schools and Washburn University sports.

Griffin married Nancy Tudor of Topeka on July 9, 1983. They were married 41 yrs. He is also survived by step-mother, Nancy R. Griffin, and cousins Bob Curtis and Cathy (Curtis) Witt. 

At Oak Park HS, Bill was a three-year letterman in football, basketball, and baseball. He received a scholarship to KU, where he played both football and baseball, 1973-1977. Bill was an avid fishman and enjoyed “excursions” to the craps tables in Las Vegas.

Cremation is planned. Celebration of Life will be held 10am-Noon, Saturday, February 8th at Miller’s Glen Village Hall/Clubhouse, 2234 SW Village Hall Rd., Topeka. Dove Cremations and Funerals Southwest Chapel is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to KU Endowment, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Mail Stop 3012, Kansas City, KS 66160, to benefit Cancer Research at the University of Kansas Cancer Center. Online contributions may be made at www.kuendowment.org/give Please indicate that donations are in memory of Billy W. Griffin, Jr.

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