William E. 'Bill' Wass

William E. "Bill" Wass, 81, of Parsons died at 6:59 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at Labette Health following a brief illness.

He was born Dec.28, 1926, in Parsons to Charles James and Mildred Marie (Tetley) Wass. As a child, he moved with his family to the rural Dennis-Timber Hill area. He attended schools in Dennis and Cherryvale. He later served in the 930th Ordnance Ammunition Company of the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

He married LaVeta M. Walker on March 25, 1951, at the former Central Avenue Christian Church in Parsons. She survives of the home.

Through the years, he worked at Adventure Line Manufacturing Co., the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant, Alexander Manufacturing and did custom combining for 10 years. He and his wife owned and operated the B&L Club east of Parsons and later Wass Floral for five years before starting Wass Trucking in the mid-1980s.

He was a member of First Christian Church in Parsons, the Neosho Valley Good Sams RV Club, the Kansas Twisters RV Club and the 930th Ordnance Ammunition Company. He was a former member of the Parsons Lions Club and Parsons Elks, BPOE Lodge No. 527.

His No. 1 hobby was his family. He also enjoyed collecting table lighters.

Survivors also include three sons, Craig V. Wass of Oologah, Okla., C.J. Wass and Joanie Hizey of Parsons, William E. "Bill" Wass Jr. and his wife, Barbara, of Oologah, Okla.; six grandchildren, Jerry Lee Wass and his wife, Martha, Sara Wass, Michael Wass, Jimmie Kay Wass, Jessica Wass and Amanda Hammer; five great-grandchildren, William E. Wass III, Gabriella Wass, Katlin Wass, Jake Hammer and Haley Hammer; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Harold Wass and Charles James Wass Jr.; a half brother, Tony DiVrolla; and a sister, Virginia "Polly" Carson.

The service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at First Christian Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Harmony Grove Cemetery at rural Dennis. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested to Alcoholics Anonymous. These may be left at or sent to the funeral home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.