William Waite Juby

William (Bill) Waite Juby, age 90, passed away and entered the presence of his Lord on June 24, 2025 while at his longtime residence in Independence, Kansas. Bill was born on December 12, 1934 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma to Robert (Dub) Gail Juby and Ethel Grace Juby. He grew up in Dewey, Oklahoma with his brother where he accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at First Baptist Church, which was next door to his home and where his mother was the church pianist.

Bill attended local schools graduating from Dewey High School in 1953 where he was an accomplished multi-sport athlete but passionate about basketball. He attended Oklahoma City University on a basketball scholarship playing under legendary coach Abe Lemons and graduated in 1958. While in college, Bill married his high school sweetheart Joyce Ann Harris in August of 1955 as they set out on what would become their 69-year marriage and life journey.

Upon graduation Bill returned to Dewey to teach Math and coach high school basketball. After completing his Master’s Degree in Education from Oklahoma State University in 1962, he moved to Independence, Kansas to work for Independence High School as a Math teacher, Basketball Coach, and Assistant Football Coach under the iconic Kayo Emmet.

In 1966, Bill began working for Independence Community College where through his 36 years of tenure served as a Mathematics Instructor, Director of Financial Aid, Director of Athletics and began his love for Pirate Basketball. In 1967 Bill completed his Education Specialist degree at Pittsburg State University. During his career, Bill was one of the principal architects for what would become Pirate Basketball program greatness and national junior college prominence, including the unprecedented back-to-back National Men’s Junior College Basketball Championships in 1977 and 1978. It was no mistake that this was the period of time where Bill was able to reach his dream of helping countless young men and women from across the nation to achieve their dreams in both athletics and academics.

Bill enjoyed many activities and friends in the community and was a member of First Southern Baptist Church in Independence for 62 years serving as a trustee for many of those years. Bill and Joyce Ann raised their family in Independence and in their church instilling the values of God, family, community and basketball that would guide the generations that followed them.

Family surviving to cherish Bill’s memory are his “brother” Don Looney and his wife Linda of Tulsa, Oklahoma, his daughter Cindy Oller and her husband Gary of Springfield, Missouri, his son Jay Juby and his wife Lori of Coweta, Oklahoma, his son Michael Juby, and his wife Aline, of Reno Nevada. His grandchildren, J. Nicholas Juby (Ashley DeLance), Jenna (Jesse) Cornelison, Matthew (Sofia) Juby, Taylor Juby, Jared Juby, Rachael Juby, Jayna Juby, River Juby, and one great grandson, Theo Cornelison. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Preceding Bill in death are his parents, his wife Joyce Ann Juby, and brothers Merton Robert Juby and Thomas Gail Juby.

Family visitation for friends will be held on July 2, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm at the First Southern Baptist Church in Independence, Kansas. Memorial Services will immediately follow at 2:00 in the church.