William Bingo Dickerson was born on September 11, 1955, in Leavenworth, Kansas, to James and Wanda Dickerson. Being born on his mother’s birthday, it was always known that his birth was indeed a gift not only to his mother, but to everyone who met him.
Bingo graduated from Leavenworth Senior High School, and although he lived in other cities, he spent most of his life in Leavenworth, close to his parents, siblings, children, relatives, and friends. Bingo attended Kansas City Community College to be a funeral director, but if you know Bingo, you know that his true passion was being behind a camera, capturing memories of beloved family and friends. Heaven forbid that he miss a moment, so he captured thousands of photos and hours of footage from family gatherings, Sunday services, initial sermons of new ministers, and wedding ceremonies.
To ensure he never missed a beat, he would often put his children, Sammie and William, behind the camera in his absence. It wasn’t just his camera work that distinguished him in a crowd. Bingo was a lifelong member of Sunflower Missionary Baptist Church in Leavenworth, Kansas, and it was his dedication to God that made him most notable. All over the great state of Kansas, Bingo was known by almost every Baptist congregation. He attended numerous state and national Baptist conventions. He also loved attending Wednesday morning bible study at Independent Baptist Church, with his young grandchildren in tow. Bingo also loved his Wednesday studies with his Sister-in-law Stephanie.
Not only did people know him as a beloved friend and relative, but they also knew him as their usher. With a great big smile and maybe a joke, he LOVED directing you to your pew in the sanctuary. His faith in God was always a priority, and he ensured that this faith was instilled in his children as he raised them as a single parent. For many years he was a very active member of the Optimist club. He also served as the president of both the Sunflower and the Northeastern District usher board. For the last two years he was also the Northeastern District Layman President.
There is no shortage of stories to be told about Bingo Dickerson, but no matter the story, it likely involves him holding a camera, eating, cracking a joke, or playing with kids. Most stories of Bingo include all the above. Speaking of children, Bingo loved kids dearly and in his later years in life, he was often seen with his grandkids and generations of his nieces and nephews. Much like his mother, he could be seen out and about with a van full of kids, as the unofficial director of “BINGO’S DAYCARE.“ Bingo lived a full life, smiling and laughing through most of it, showing off that gold tooth. Bingo was a cherished son, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, and Friend.
On September 12, 2024, Bingo took his last breath, one day after spending his 69th birthday as a Patient at Overland Park Regional Hospital. He was preceded in death by his father, James Dickerson Sr., his mother, Wanda Mae Dickerson, his brother, Durand Dickerson, (Stephanie) and his grandson, Elijah Smith. He is survived by his siblings, James (Deborah), Ronnie, Ricky (Serena), Bobby, Patricia, Saluda, Leroy, Carmelnita (Randall) and Laurice, his children, Tevis Smith (Monique), William Jr., Sammie, and Chalonne Faleke (Moses), his grandchildren, Kashawn, Dhani, Jaiden, Brexton, Brienna, Malachi, Malaysia, Malcolm, Mariana, Zohar, and Miryam.
Funeral Service for William Bingo Dickerson will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday September 21, 2024 at the Dr. Hyman L. Jarrett Sr. Fellowship Hall, 1708 5th Avenue, Leavenworth, Kansas, 66048, the family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the fellowship hall.
Service for William Bingo Dickerson entrusted to Bullock Family Funeral Chapel.
