WILLIAM KASITZ
1926 - 2018
Obituary
William "Bill" R. Kasitz, 91,
died Tuesday (Jan. 16, 2018) in Peabody.
Will was born on April 4, 1926, to
William F. and Elsie (Gut) Kasitz, on a snow blizzard day on the
family farm in Walton; the doctor came across the field in a horse
and buggy to deliver him. He became the younger brother to Harry and
Allwin, and the older brother to Richard.
As a young boy, he took an alarm clock
apart so he could see how it worked and put it back together. He
helped on the farm and was a lover of animals and the land. Bill was
in 4-H, where he won Grand Champion Showmanship Sheep Award and a
trip to Chicago. He was on the Walton High School basketball and
football teams and played tuba in the band.
After high school, he found his love of
67 years, Linda Klein. They were married on July 9, 1951, in Newton
and had three children. As a family, they helped farm the
second-generation family farm outside of Walton.
William and Linda took a cruise to
Europe and the Caribbean and traveled all over the U.S.; Alaska was
his favorite state. They boated, water-skied, even snow-skied once,
had a registered black angus herd and had his kids in 4-H. After the
children were living on their own, Linda and Bill learned how to
modern square dance and round. Together, they went in their motor
home to several national square dance conventions, where they met so
many new friends.
Bill was an officer and member of the
Fraternal Order of Eagles. He loved his grandkids, going to musicals,
sporting events, fishing, traveling and giving them advice on life.
His great-grandchildren had holidays and sporting activities that
were shared making memories. He was a great man to his family,
friends and to people he met.
Bill had also been a sheep shearer,
worked for a short time for the railroad and as a roofer.
Survivors include his wife, Linda; son,
Rodney (Leanne) Kasitz of Louisburg; daughters, Phyllis Boothe (Gary
Dix) of Benton and Shirley Smith of Wichita; grandchildren: Howard
(Maria) Boothe, Marcus Kasitz, Kaleb Kasitz and Curtis Kasitz; four
great-grandchildren: Haylie West, and Hayden, Tyler and Ella Boothe;
and two brothers, Harry and Richard of Newton.
Bill is preceded in death by his
parents; brother, Allwin Kasitz; son-in-law, Rick Smith; and
grandson, James Boothe.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m.
Friday (Jan. 19, 2018) at the First United Church of Christ in
Newton. Interment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.
Friends may call at the funeral home after 1 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 18,
2018), where the family will receive friends between 5 and 7 p.m.
A memorial has been established with
the Circle 8 Square Dance Club of Newton and the First United Church
of Christ in Newton. Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial
Funeral Home, Newton, KS 67114.
Condolences may be left at
www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.
