William Lee “Bill” Knedgen, 85, a lifelong resident of Parsons, died at 8 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at Elmhaven West.

He was born July 19, 1924, in Parsons to Frank Blaise and Clara Theresa (Young) Knedgen. He grew up in Parsons where he graduated from Parsons High School and attended Labette Community College two years.

He married Lorene L. Burlingame on Oct. 6, 1945, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons. He was employed by the Katy Railroad for 43 years as a caller and clerk. Following retirement from the railroad, he assisted his daughter, Stephanie, in her restaurant businesses.

As a young man, he earned the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America program, the Eagle Scout. He was an avid swimmer and gardener and, for many years, served as a softball coach. Above all, he loved his faithful wife of 64 years, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons, was a fourth degree charter member of the Knights of Columbus, where he began serving at the age of 18, the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees and the Brotherhood of Railroad Clerks, where he also served for 25 years as secretary and treasurer.

Survivors include his wife, Lorene Knedgen of the home; three daughters, Patricia Wilkerson and her husband, Dale, of Bartlesville, Okla., Christa Sevart of Parsons and Stephanie Tuggle and her husband, David, of Parsons; four grandchildren, Jason Sevart and his wife, Christy, of Holts Summit, Mo., Josh Sevart of Kansas City, Mo., Stacy Hoffman of Edmond, Okla., and Dr. Heather Owen and her husband, Dustin, of Owasso, Okla.; four great-grandchildren, Samuel and Hannah Hoffman, Madison and Keira Owen; and a sister, Mary Brownrigg of Florida.

He was preceded in death by four brothers; four sisters; a son, Vincent L. Knedgen, on May 26, 2007; and a son-in-law, Dana E. Sevart, on July 14, 2003.

The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. today at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Catholic School Gymnasium Fund. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.