William John Young, Jr. , known to all as Bill, passed on to his permanent resting place on October 9, 2025. He was a resident of Chesterfield, Missouri until December 27, 2024 when Alzheimer’s/Dementia forced his move to American House Wildwood Village for his remaining days. He was 84 years old.

Bill was born in Queens, New York — the son of William J. Young, Sr. & Margaret A. Smith. He spent his younger years in Mt. Vernon, Illinois with his mother & stepfather, R. B. Smith. He was a graduate of Southern Illinois University – Carbondale with a Bachelor of Science degree from their School of Technology. He also completed the Management Study Program at Washington University’s Graduate School of Business Administration.

On August 10, 2025, Bill & his wife Joan (Christopher) Young celebrated 62 years of marriage. Together, they shared the love of their 4 children: William J. Young III, St. Louis, Missouri; Paul C. Young, Pawley’s Island, South Carolina; Ann M. Young, St. Peter’s, Missouri; & Joseph A. (Jay) Young, Olathe, Kansas.

Bill worked for Monsanto, Sunline Brands ( the candy company that made Sweetarts), Switzer Candy Company & Sverdrup Corporation here in St. Louis. He also worked for Washington Group in Birmingham, Alabama before moving back to the St. Louis area & doing engineering consulting work for various companies to finish out his professional career.

Throughout his life, Bill enjoyed participating in sports activities, especially fishing & golf. He was also very active in supporting his children’s endeavors by coaching little league football & spending countless hours at swim meets, serving in any capacity needed. But his greatest interest — his passion — was following college football. After living in Birmingham for a period of time, his interest in the SEC — & especially Auburn football — intensified, to say the least. Along with his interest in sports, Bill was also an active member in Ascension parish activities for a number of years. He served as a Eucharistic minister & was a member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th degree. He volunteered to help at one of the parishes in the city serving lunches to the homeless. He was a Reach Out driver until he was no longer able to drive. Along with his parish activities, Bill also served as a Red Cross volunteer for a number of years.

In the hope that he can someday be part of the solution to the awful disease that is Alzheimer’s,  Bill has donated his body to St. Louis University School of Medicine. A  Mass in celebration of his life will be held at Ascension Catholic Church, 230 Santa Maria Drive, Chesterfield, Missouri 63005 on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society at Ascension to help them in their great charitable work. Or donations may also be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, hoping along with Bill, that they will help lead to the eventual cure of this truly horrible disease.