Billy Joe “Bill” Hentzen, 77, of Parsons died at 12:31 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, in the emergency room at Labette Health. He had been in his usual health, and death was not expected.

He was born Feb. 16, 1932, in Parsons to Joe and Zella (Brown) Hentzen, and as a young boy attended country schools in Labette and Neosho counties.

He served in the U.S. Navy two years in Guam and two years in San Diego. Following his discharge from the Navy, he worked 25 years for Town Talk Bakery, six years at the A Family Restaurant, and the former Countryside Farm and Home Store, now Orschelen Farm and Home Supply, retiring from there in 2008.

For several years, he served as leader for Boy Scout Troop 33 and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, woodworking, gardening and planting flowers. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

He married Rose Darlene Jeffrey on Dec. 21, 1952, in Yuma, Ariz. She survives of the home.

Additional survivors include two sons, Bradley Hentzen and his wife, Margie, of Garfield, Ariz., and Brent Hentzen and his wife, Kari, of Mindenmines, Mo.; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Janice Hentzen of Parsons; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Jack Hentzen; a sister, Marjorie Woodcock; and a daughter, Debra Watkins.

Following cremation, the family will have a private committal service at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to Operation Bright Touch and may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357. Online condolences may be left at forbeshoffman.com.