William "Bill" Houdashelt

William “Bill” Houdashelt, 95, Le Loup, passed away, Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at Wellsville Retirement Community, Wellsville, Kan. He was born Nov. 12, 1913, at Chickapea, Kan., to Charles and Nora Farine Houdashelt. He married Grace DeMaranville May 2, 1937, at Ottawa, Kan. They shared 64 years of marriage until her passing in 2001. He was also preceded in passing by a son, John Houdashelt, a daughter, MaryAnn Detwiler, and an infant great-grandchild, Mandy Diamond, all of Ottawa, one sister, Josephine Wright, Pensacola, Fla., and brothers, Charles Lee, Pensacola, Fla., Earl, Los Angeles, Calif., Jim, Reno, Nevada, and Clarence “Brownie” Houdashelt, of Ottawa. Bill was a member of the Kansas National Guard and a 76-year member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He was employed by Santa Fe Railroad for 46 years before his retirement in 1978, to spend time with his grandkids. Bill enjoyed a rich full life. He enjoyed gardening, fires, watching baseball and wrestling on TV and trains. His greatest love was playing dominoes with the grandkids or anyone else who might want a “lesson.” He never met a stranger, never expected to be repaid for a kindness and never complained about anything. Life was always good as far as he was concerned. Bill is survived by one daughter, Kathy Seimears, and her husband, Lee, Le Loup; and son-in-law, Robert Detwiler, Ottawa; 10 grandchildren, Mike and Cheryl Detwiler, Donna Diamond, LeeAnn Francis, Tom Clingerman, Ashley Seimears, all of Ottawa, Greg and Rita Detwiler, Boston, Mass., Lori DePrist, Tonganoxie, Kan., Rick and Michelle Houdashelt, Sublette, Kan., Elizabeth Seimears, Le Loup, and Mike and Angelina Bertrand, Lenexa; 14 great-grandchildren, Colby and Kelsey Diamond, Janae, Bradon and Cherise Detwiler, Jill and Caleb Francis, Tyler, Hannah and Emily Stafford, Jeremiah Houdashelt, Kali and Kirsten Clingerman and Jausalin Bertrand; and one great-great-grandson. Family will meet with friends from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday night, May 8, 2009, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa. There will be a graveside service at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 2009, at Highland Park Tom Clingerman and Robert Detwiler will be officiating. A bonfire and celebration of life will follow at 7 p.m. Saturday night at Kathy Seimears’ house in Le Loup. Masters of the fire will be Bill Kneller and Tom Clingerman. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bea Martin Peck Animal Shelter in care of Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa KS 66067.