William Robert Curtis, born in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany on March 14, 1956, died in his sleep at Creekside at Elfindale on Saturday March 27, 2021. His parents, Wesley James Curtis and Irene Helen (Kinnaird) Curtis were devoted to their disabled, youngest child, who had been diagnosed with early onset schizophrenia at the age of 12. At that time the full extent of the autism spectrum was not widely understood. William's childhood behaviors were more consistent with that developmental disorder. William grew up on Army posts in Germany, Kansas, Virginia and Maryland. His parents and William moved to Springfield in 1973, after his father retired from the military.

As a first grader William could read and memorize fairy tales so well teachers at his elementary school had him recite stories to their classes as an occasional treat. He retained his fascination with words and the subtle differences between synonyms his entire life. He loved music of all kinds: Strauss waltzes, Broadway musicals, hymns and the classic country songs he first listened to as a small child on a 45rpm "needlewack" with his Grandad Curtis in Seligman MO. William was a phenomenal repository of family stories and events, usually remembering not only the dates but the days of the week as well.

William worked at SWI Inc. (formerly Springfield Sheltered Workshop) for nearly forty years. His last workday was the day before he died. William was well liked and admired by everyone who knew him because of his gentleness, cheerfulness and politeness. The family wishes to thank everyone at Creekside and "the workshop", as William referred to SWI, for all they did to care for him and make him feel accepted and useful. He also benefited from Burrell Behavioral Health's services for many years.

Besides his parents, William was preceded in death by his aunt and uncles, Edith (Curtis) Fawver, Robert Fawver and John Kinnaird. He is survived by his sister, Carol Curtis of Springfield; his brother John W. Curtis and his wife Margaret Sarkela and their children, John V. Curtis and Sarah E. Curtis and her husband and their son, all of New York City; his aunt Joan (Kennedy) Kinnaird and her son John D. Kinnaird of College Park MD; and his other cousins, Stephen B. Kinnaird and his wife Amanda Moak of Chevy Chase MD and Sue (Fawver) Godshall and her husband, Kenneth of Mt. Kisco NY and their families. William's best friend, Paul O'Brien of Springfield, also survives him.

William was raised in the Episcopal Church and converted to Catholicism late in life. A Funeral Mass will be held at 2 pm Wednesday, April 14th at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Springfield under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.  William's ashes will be interred next to his beloved mother's in the columbarium of Christ Episcopal Church, Springfield afterwards, with family in attendance.

Donations in William's memory can be made to Springfield Workshop Foundation, 2835 W. Bennett, Springfield MO 65802 or to a charitable organization of the donor's choice.