William (Bill/Billy Bones) Allen Borchardt

William (Bill/Billy Bones) Allen Borchardt died on September 13, 2025 at age 76. Dear husband for 54 years of Alice Frances (Spalding) Borchardt; father of Lance William Borchardt, Clinton Elvis Borchardt (Erica Lawson Borchardt), Libby Alice Borchardt Allen, Harper, Locke (Levi Locke), and Nikki Louise McGilvery (Scott McGilvery of Canada); grandfather of Allison McGilvery, Sienna McGilvery, Gavin Allen, Elana Allen, Faith Harper, Ollie Locke, Luke Borchardt, Finn Borchardt, Ethan Borchardt and Cassie Richkas (Michael Richkas); son of the late Carl Milton Borchardt (deceased) and the late Irma Jane "Sally" (Hobbs) Borchardt; brother of Diane Bergan, David Borchardt (Phyllis), Marsha Vaughn, 
Tony Borchardt and the late Mike Borchardt and late Jim Borchardt; uncle of numerous nieces and nephews. Additional family included his beloved Zoo co-workers and friends. 

Out of high school Bill joined the Marine Corps and was trained as a chef. He then graduated with a BS in Forestry Fisheries and Wildlife from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Bill worked at the St. Louis Zoological Park for 38 years, 5 months and 3 days as: a Keeper in the Children’s Zoo, Naturalist Instructor in the Education Department, and a Keeper in the Insectarium. Bill gathered and prepared an enormous Biofact collection at the Zoo. He collected insects, butterflies, snake skins, hides, teeth, any part of animal anatomy including bones. His favorite bone collection was of baculum. Animal study took him many places, Africa, Peru, and the Amazon. His other interests were any and all things dinosaur including collecting dino bone replicas. Also, PZ Turm, German tank turreted pillboxes of WWII, and he became so knowledgeable that authors and researchers around the world consulted him for information. 

He genuinely liked people, and had a natural ability to put people at ease. He loved hearing other's stories; telling and retelling his own. He was fascinated by obscure facts and off the wall news articles. He loved to Laugh, and make others laugh... especially using shock value or ick factor. Spirituality for him was found in the majesty and breathtaking beauty found only in nature and wildlife. He was proud of his kids, and created a loving home with Alice. His grandkids left him in awe, and filled him with joy. His love of animals was passed down to several of his grandchildren who are pursuing degrees and careers in animal related fields. Through their great and enduring love, Bill and Alice built a family that celebrates geek, appreciates animals and nature, and will carry on their legacy of love for generations. He was the best kind of weird and wonderful and he will be missed by all who knew him.

Brief Memorial Military Honor Service at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Friday, September 26 at 11:30 a.m. **Please meet by 11 a.m. at the funeral staging area lot which is the 3rd driveway on the left on Sheridan Rd off of Telegraph Rd.**  Following the service will be a gathering in remembrance of Bill at Royale Orleans, 2801 Telegraph Road, St. Louis, MO 63125 between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. “Bill Stories” and photos can be shared.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William (Bill/Billy Bones) Allen Borchardt, please visit our floral store.