Bill Markley
William J. "Bill" Markley, 73, died Nov. 2, 2002, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita.
The son of the late Oscar and Nellie (Richards) Markley, he was born Jan. 24, 1929, at Abilene where he attended local schools and grew up.
A veteran of World War II, he was recalled to service during the Korean War, serving in the Navy.
On July 5, 1950, he was married to Lawanda Kuntz. They lived at Abilene.
He had been employed by Union Pacific Railroad and was an Abilene fire fighter both as a volunteer and as a regular from 1956 until 1990.
He also was manager of Cornbelt Chemicals, retiring in 1991.
He was a life member and past commander of the VFW and was a life member of Eagles Lodge.
Preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Gladys York and Betty Wick, and three brothers, Randy, Don, and Dick Markley, he is survived by his wife Lawanda Markley of Abilene; three daughters, Debbie Meredith of Arizona, Rhonda Meeks of Abilene, and Regina McDermith of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; seven sons, Tom, Pat, Chad, Rod and Doug of Abilene, Billy of McPherson, and Darvin of Marion; 18 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three sisters; and one brother, Darrell Markley of Syracuse.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. today, Wednesday, at the Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Abilene, with the Rev. Ron Bowell officiating. Burial was in Livingston (Union) Cemetery, north of Abilene.
A football scholarship fund has been established in his name at Abilene High School.
