William Barnes Kitchen Obituary

William Barnes “Barney” Kitchen

Barney was born on 11 October 1942 in El Paso, Texas at Fort Bliss where his father was stationed during World War II. He died on November 24, 2022 in Bridgeton, Missouri after complications from a broken leg and extended rehab center stay. At his passing he was surrounded by family, his well-loved wife of 55 years, Connie, son Ben, daughter Sarah, son-in-law Stefan, grandsons Dominic and Vincent, and his long-time friend and colleague, David Felton. He was the son of William Meyer Kitchen, a radiologist, and Sarilda Anne Given, an elementary school teacher and home maker.

Barney grew up in Kansas City and graduated from Pembroke Country Day School in 1960. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1964 with a degree in English. In 1965, he enlisted in the US Army and served 3 years as a Special Agent for Military Intelligence during the Vietnam War. In August of 1967 he married Connie Louise Young in Muncie, Indiana.

After the Army, he entered Chicago Theological Seminary and earned his Master of Divinity degree in 1971. He was ordained at the Union Church, United Church of Christ in Hinsdale, Illinois in July, 1971. Barney’s service to the United Church of Christ included the following calls: Associate Pastor, Federated Church in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, 1971-1974; Associate Pastor, Peoples Church of Dover Delaware, 1974-1976; Founding Pastor, Village United Church of Christ, Blue Springs, Missouri, 1976-1982; Associate Conference Minister, Western Association of the Missouri Conference, 1982-1990; Senior Pastor, Pilgrim Congregational UCC, St Louis, Missouri, 1990-1997; Senior Pastor, First Church in Oberlin, Oberlin, Ohio, 1998-2002; Interim Pastor, Amherst Community Church UCC, Amherst, New York, 2002-2004.

He impacted countless lives during his years in the ministry. He was a great listener and possessed endless compassion for his parishioners wherever he was called.
Most important to Barney however, was his family both immediate and extended. Connie was his constant companion, love, and helper to the end. He always loved spending time with his siblings and their families, his children and their spouses, and especially his four grandchildren. He spread his love for all widely and without reservation. He was deeply committed to justice, peace, and equal rights for all.

Barney was an enthusiastic cyclist, and photographer. He had an intense desire for knowledge and read widely and deeply. He never met a person who remained a stranger for very long. People loved to tell him their life stories or their troubles—they always knew he had a wonderful gift for sharing in whatever the joy or struggle of their lives might be. He connected easily with children and they took to him in very short order. A hallmark of his ministry were his legendary Children’s Time lessons in worship — replete with stuffed animals of all kinds that became recurring characters in his stories. Truth be told, the adults loved these stories just as much as the kids.

In 2004, he retired and returned to St Louis. About this time Barney and Connie became grandparents and the two sons of daughter Sarah and Stefan were cared for by Barney during their early years. He actively participated in the life of his home church, First Congregational of Webster Groves UCC.

After a stroke in 2017, his active involvement in the church became somewhat limited but he continued to attend. His new challenge became recovering from his stroke to the best of his ability.

Barney is predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Connie, son Ben Kitchen (Vanessa) of Anchorage, Alaska, daughter Sarah Baiocchi (Stefan) of St Louis, Missouri, sister Georgia “Cinda” Meyer of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, sister Laura Sampson (Buzz) of Evergreen, Colorado, brother John Kitchen (Trelawney) of Benicia, California, and grandsons Gavin Kitchen, Dominic Baiocchi, Duncan Kitchen, and Vincent Baiocchi and well-loved nieces and nephews.

Memorial gifts may be sent to First Congregational Church Webster Groves, 10 W Lockwood Ave, Webster Groves, MO 63119 or
Pilgrim Congregational Church, UCC, PO Box 23332, St Louis, MO 63156.

The memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023 at 2 pm at the First Congregational Church Webster Groves, 10 W Lockwood Ave, Webster Groves, MO 63119

Arrangements by the Cremation Society of Saint Louis