Korte, Fr. William 1957-2025 Dixon, Mo.
DIXON, Mo. – Father William Korte passed away at the age of 67 on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, after a sudden illness.
Father Korte was the fourth of eight children born to Richard and Marilyn (Moser) Korte, on Nov. 4, 1957. His early years were spent on the family farm in Steelville, Missouri, where he was raised in a devout Catholic family. The seeds of Father Korte’s vocation were first fostered within the naturalness of family life and later played a pivotal role in how he lived out his vocation to the priesthood.
Father Korte was ordained to the priesthood on April 30, 1983, for the Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri. His first Mass was celebrated on May 1, 1983. In over 41 years as a priest, he went on to become a shepherd to thousands of souls in the parishes where he was assigned, as well as a spiritual director to hundreds of laity and priests. For almost 40 years, he was a Member of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross of Opus Dei. He was also a co-host of a popular radio show in which he shared practical wisdom on how to pray and live out the spiritual life.
Father Korte loved being a priest and was deeply devoted to Our Lord in the Eucharist, as well as to the Blessed Virgin Mary. No matter how full his schedule was, he offered the actions of his day as a prayer and spent significant time each day before the Blessed Sacrament. He was adamant that if he was going to be a good shepherd to souls he needed to spend time with The Good Shepherd Himself, Jesus Christ.
Father Korte endured tremendous suffering, but he was known for cheerfully accepting his circumstances and offering it all to Jesus for his brother priests and for the good of souls. He had a profound impact on many lives and was deeply loved and respected by those who encountered him and who had the privilege of knowing him. His constancy in his vocation and his care for souls will have a lasting impact on the Catholic Church for generations to come.
Father Korte is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Stephen and Ralph Korte.
His steadfast example, hilarious sense of humor, boisterous laugh, wisdom, and faithfulness will be missed by his siblings and their spouses, Michael and Rose Korte, St. Joseph, Virginia and John Watson, Steelville, Missouri, Cathy and Mark Buncher, Nicholasville, Kentucky, Walter Korte, Steelville, and Casilda and Joe Kekeisen, Sullivan, Missouri; his 19 nieces and nephews and their spouses; and 48 great- nieces and nephews; as well as all those who knew and loved him.
The family would like to express their gratitude to all those who supported Father over the years and have requested that you pray a personal or family rosary for Father Korte, families, priests, the salvation of souls, and for more holy vocations to the priesthood.
Visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, from 4 to 8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 1, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, in Jefferson City, Missouri. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, in Jefferson City. A private burial service will be held for the family at St. Michael Cemetery, Steelville. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
