James "Bill" W. Bickerstaff

James W. Bill Bickerstaff, age 83, of Ottawa, Kansas, died Wednesday, September 8, 2010. He was born on Monday, January 10, 1927, in Imes, Kansas, the son of Edgar E. and Katie (Bible) Bickerstaff. He was a near lifelong resident of Franklin County, Kansas, living in the Ottawa area the last forty years. He was a farmer/stockman for forty years. He also worked in Highway Maintenance as a truck driver for the State of Kansas Department of Transportation twenty years, retiring in 1989. Bill served in the United States Army from 1944 to 1947, with his tour of duty including Korea during World War II. On Sunday, June 5, 1949, Bill was united in marriage with Olive Poe in Ottawa, Kansas. She survives of their home. SURVIVORS INCLUDE: Wife-Olive Bickerstaff of the home; Son-James R. Bickerstaff of Ottawa, Kansas; Daughter-Brenda Cole of Olathe, Kansas; Daughter-Barbara Mowat and her husband, Henry, of Osawatomie, Kansas; Sister-Rosa Stork of Smith Center, Kansas; Brother-Roy Bickerstaff and his wife, Jeanne, of Ottawa, Kansas; Twelve-Grandchildren and Seventeen-Gt.Grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his: Parents-Edgar E. and Katie Bickerstaff; Brother-Leonard Bickerstaff; Brother-Larry D. Bickerstaff; Sister-Della Brockus and Sister-Lillie Stevens. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 11, 2010. IN STATE: Mr. Bickerstaff will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday to the service hour, where the family will meet with friends at 1:00 Saturday afternoon prior to the services. CEMETERY: Ruhamah Cemetery in Rantoul, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Homewood Community Bible Church, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.