William "B.J." Raper

William Jack "B.J." Raper, age 30, of Joplin, died Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Freeman West Hospital.      B.J. was born January 28, 1983, at Lamar to Anthony "Jim" and Mary (Ratterree) Raper.  He attended Lamar schools before moving to Northridge, California where he studied at U.C.L.A. and earned a degree in interior design from Cal State.  B.J.  worked for Aaron Brothers Paint & Supply Store while living in California.  In 2004, he moved back to Missouri, first to Kansas City where he stayed for eight years before moving to Joplin a year ago.  He was currently working at Romancing the Stone in the Joplin Mall.  B.J. was a talented athlete who had a passion for skateboarding, snowboarding and surfing.  B.J. never met a stranger and will be remembered warmly by people from every walk of life who were blessed by his friendship.      Survivors include his fiancé, Whitney West, of the home; his parents, Jim & Mary Raper, Lamar; a sister and her husband, Kristy & Terry Kinney, Lamar; two nephews, Brian & wife, Kim Raper, Lamar, and David Murphy, Sheldon; two nieces, Kelly Coy, Sheldon, and Jazmine Murphy, Lamar; two great-nephews, Andrew James Raper and Shawn Michael Raper; and a large extended family.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents, W.O. & Goldie Raper.        A private graveside committal service will be held at Morehead Cemetery at a later date.