Willis John Voth
1928 - 2021
Willis John (Bill) Voth
Walton - Willis John (Bill) Voth died
peacefully on Dec. 27, 2021 at his home in rural Walton Kansas. He
was born September 20, 1928 to Katharine and John Voth in Goessel,
Kansas, the youngest of five children. Bill attended Wareham District
School, Walton High School, Newton High School and Bethel College. On
June 2, 1951 Bill was married to Nada E. Voth and they celebrated
their 70th wedding anniversary this past year.
Agriculture was Bill's chosen
profession and he farmed with his father and brother Arnold as he was
starting his career; upon marriage he and Nada started a modern Grade
"A" dairy. This continued and grew until his son Myron and
daughter-in-law Phyllis were generously integrated into the business.
Bill retired at the age of 80 but retained an active interest in the
farm.
Bill was active in Tabor Mennonite
Church where he was a lifelong member, serving in leadership roles
and singing in the choir for 50 years. He also served on the Walton
School Board when a new building was built and through the time of
consolidation with the Newton School District. Bill was part of
numerous farm organizations including the MCC Farm Crisis Committee
in the 1980's.
Bill's personal interests and joys were
listening to classical music and singing, which he did all through
school and in the Newton Civic Choir, traveling- both in the US and
internationally and on bird-watching trips with Nada; and sports,
including playing basketball and football as a young man. He was
enthusiastic in encouraging and supporting children and
grand-children in both music and sports. Bill was an advocate of
education, encouraging his children to achieve all they could and
contributing to Bethel College.
Bill was a thoughtful and supportive
husband and father who is survived by wife Nada, daughter Lenore
Hiebert (Thomas), sons Warren (Helen Kjolby) and Myron (Phyllis
Regier), grand-children Andrea Voth (Peter Sprunger), Emily Newhouse
(Jeremy), Sarah Hiebert, Benjamin Hiebert, Daniel Hiebert, Camille
Voth, and Nathaniel Voth; and great-grand-children Gracie Newhouse,
Lillian Newhouse, Clara Voth and Ellen Sprunger.
Memorial gifts may be given to Newton
Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra or Mennonite Central Committee.
A memorial service will be held at
Tabor Mennonite Church on Tuesday, January 4 at 2:00 PM. Masks will
be required. Family and friends may stay for visiting in the
Hospitality Hall following the funeral.
