Obituary

Hesston Record: Jan 26, 1924
On Friday the community was saddened by the death of William Frederick Rapp, after an illness of three months. He passed away at his home in Tuleta, Texas, January 19th 1923 at the age of 70 years 8 months and 2 days. He was born in Lee County Illinois, May 17, 1852. At the age of 25 he started out to make a home near Newton, Kansas at farming, being very successful.
May 22, 1893 he was married to Laura Dawson. To them were born three children May, Daisy and William. Those left to mourn their loss, are his wife, his daughters and on grandson, little William was called to his heavenly home at the age of four years.
Also three sisters and one brother, Mrs. Caroline Gnither, Susan Gower, Mary Feik and John M. Rapp, the two latter being with him at his death.
He was loved by old and young and always a faithful Sunday School worker, Leading a sincere christian life in his home and at all times.
The remains were shipped here and the funeral held in the Evangelical Church Rev George Landis from Kansas City officiating. He was laid to rest in the Hesston Cemetery by the side of little William.
The developement of Hesston and Mr. Rapp are so closely associated that to spa? one leads to thoughts of the other; being among the first settlers and the first man to start in business, Mr. Rapp was proprietor of the first grocery store here thirty six years ago, and afterward dealer in grain, coal, lumber and hardware. He was also president of the Hesston State Bank for many years.
The family resided here until about three years ago when he found that the climate of Texas was beneficial to his then failing health they decided to move to Tuleta, Texas where he has business interests. In his passing the family has lost a loving husband and father and the community a stalwart and noble citizen.