09/06/2024
The Angus world had suffered an incredible loss following the loss of Bill. We are fortunate enough to have some of his, and his father’s remarkable genetics on our farm from his days of running the herd in Groton. Sending our condolences to Donna, and her family.
CONLEY William J. Bill “BC”, was called home to the Lord Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at KU Medical Center, in Kansas City, Kansas. He was born November 6, 1955, in Ayer, Massachusetts to William C. and Norma Conley. Bill grew up on the world-famous Gibbet Hill Farm in Groton, Massachusetts managed by his father. As a youngster, Bill had a great passion for Angus cattle, ice hockey, baseball, cross-country running, and spending mischievous time with his buddies.
At the age of 16, Bill was named the champion showman of North America, at the 6th Annual National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) Showmanship Contest in 1972, held in conjunction with the All-American Angus Breeders Futurity at the Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, Kentucky. Immediately following High School graduation, Bill arrived in Blue Springs, Missouri, at the doorstep of Gail Long, Jack Phillips, Richard Koonce and Pat Scheer (Herdsman’s Institute). Bill then traveled west to Manhattan, Kansas where he attended Kansas State University, studying Animal Science; while working at the Purebred Beef Unit and Laflin Angus Ranch (Olsburg, Kansas). Bill attended one summer semester at Texas A&M. He then moved to Briggs, Texas as the first herdsman at the illustrious R&J Ranch. In Bill’s tenure at R&J Ranch, he was instrumental in creating a legacy of high-quality cattle which earned many national championship banners. Most notably, he exhibited a large number of cattle on the Hill and in the Yards at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado. In addition to this feat, he received the American Angus Association’s Outstanding Herdsman of the Year in 1982.
In 1980, Bill served as one of the three judges at the NJAS Showmanship contest, and from there, Bill continued to evaluate cattle across the nation and all breeds. For over forty years, Bill Conley was recognized as one of the best eyes for good solid functional cattle. While judging shows, Bill had to be told to slow down because exhibitors could not get cattle to the make-ready area fast enough! Bill never second-guessed his gut instincts and loved cattle that could move, his philosophy was function starts at the ground up.
Bill had the utmost respect for his father and heeded Bill Sr.’s wishes to maintain the cowherd’s integrity and stay in the middle of the road, keeping everything in balance. While Bill Sr. served on the Board of Directors (1979-1984) and as President of the American Angus Association, in 1985. The Conley family purchased acreage just east of Saint Joseph, Missouri. As Gibbet Hill became constrained by a population surge, Clarksdale, Missouri became home to many of the Gibbet Hill matron female lines, GH Mignonne 702 produced many champions for Kyle Conley as well as her universally known son “BC Lookout 7024”. Kori Conley showed CAF E Belle 405 as the 1996 NJAS Grand Champion Cow/Calf pair. In 2016, Trey Conley showed both Grand Champion Bred and Owned, and Owned Mature Cow/-Calf pairs: descendants of the original Gibbet Hill matron “Belle of Malden”. Bill was extremely proud that all three of his children qualified and honorably competed in the NJAS Showmanship contest. Kyle and Trey were both multiple recipients of the American Angus Auxiliary’s Silver Pitcher award; and in 2022, grandson Case Conley won his first silver pitcher! Genetics from the Conley program can be found working in many herds throughout the United States, as well as around the world.
Bill's thirst for travel and adventure led him to work with and learn from the greatest of all time. Bill loved showing cattle, his hero was Jake White- a legendary stockman. Bill’s lifelong friendships are far-reaching and too numerous to ever count. Bill never played phone tag, he always left his voicemail box full on purpose so he could talk in real-time, anytime someone called. BC sincerely enjoyed long phone conversations with his closest friends. He always had time to mentor others with any questions or concerns about Conley genetics.
Bill’s favorite part of the day was waking up before daylight and being the first one to the barn. His favorite pastime was watching the Kansas City Royals, Boston Bruins, the Kansas City Chiefs, and Professional Bull Riders.
Bill always carried a felt tip pen, wrote notes on his hands, looked everyone in the eye, and always kept his word. He had a handshake that validated his sincerity beyond doubt, a genuine and contagious smile, and eyes that sought truth. BC will be dearly missed.
Bill is survived by his wife Donna who continues the legacy of Conley Angus and two sons Kyle (OK), and Trey (MO), a daughter Kori Cole-Simmons (KS), three grandsons Case and Jack Conley (OK), Sutton Simmons (KS), one granddaughter, Sterling Simmons (KS), two brothers, Tim (MO), and Richard (MA), and a sister Barbara (NY). Bill is preceded in death by his parents William C. and Norma Conley, of Groton, Massachusetts.
A Celebration of Bill’s life will be held at Wagstaff Arena at 5:30 pm on Saturday, October 26th, 2024 at the American Royal Complex in Kansas City, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bill Conley Memorial Scholarship- directed to young breeders in the bred and owned division. Contact [email protected] for more information.
