William C. Finch

William Calvin Bill Finch, age 81, died Monday, January 16, 2012, at Osage Nursing Center. He was born on Monday, February 17, 1930, in Princeton, Kansas, the son of Ernest Hamilton and Mary Gladys (O'Neal) Finch. Bill was a lifelong resident of Franklin County, Kansas. He graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1948 and attended Pittsburg State University. Bill worked on construction and oil rigs with his father. He continued that work while also working at service stations and Willis Nursery of Ottawa. He retired from University of Kansas, where he had worked as custodian for several years in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Bill served in the United States Army from August 30, 1951, until August 13, 1953, serving in Korea during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Private 2nd Class. He was a member of First Christian Church and Warren Black Post #60, American Legion, both in Ottawa. On October 15, 1961, Bill was united in marriage with Patricia Edwards in Ottawa, Kansas. They were later divorced. On December 8, 1990, Bill was united in marriage with Della Maxine (Light) Dobbs in Ottawa, Kansas. She preceded him in death on December 19, 2005. He is survived by his: Daughter-Leona Pankratz and her fiancé, Dean Fishel, of Topeka, Kansas; Daughter-Wilma Finch of Ottawa, Kansas; Daughter-Lisa Simmons and her husband, Larry, Jr., of Vassar, Kansas; Grandchildren-(6)Matthew Pankratz, Jay Pankratz, Amanda Pankratz-Ruff, Bryan Ward, Chelsea Finch, Patricia Bonneville; Gt.Grandchildren-(5)Emma Pankratz, Landen Pankratz, Sarah Ruff, Cayla Ruff, Kingston Betts; Sister-Maxine Moore of Ottawa, Kansas and Sister-Mary Smith and her husband, Ray, of Webb City, Missouri. He is preceded in death by his Wife-Della Maxine Finch; Parents-Ernest Hamilton and Mary Gladys Finch and a Grandson-Christopher Lee Hayes. SERVICES: Funeral Services will be held at Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 20, 2012. IN STATE: Mr. Finch will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday and after 9:00 a.m. Friday to the service hour. Family will meet with friends from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Friday prior to services. CEMETERY: Fouts Cemetery, Franklin County, Kansas MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Osage Nursing Center Activity Fund, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.