William Francis Nemechek

Aug. 5, 1925-Nov. 23, 2009

WaKEENYEY, Kan. -- William Francis Nemechek, 84, died Nov. 23, 2009, at Gove County Medical Center in Quinter, Kan.

He was born Aug. 5, 1925, on the family farm south of Ellis, Kan., to Louis and Johanna (Gaschler) Nemechek. In 1931 the family moved to a farm north of WaKeeney where he began his education. He graduated from Trego Community High School in 1943.

On Oct. 3, 1945, he married Marjorie Marie O'Rourke at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ellis. They were co-owners of a radiator shop and Bill's Liquor Store in Wakeeney for more than 30 years until selling the business and moving to Placerville, Calif., in 1986, where they managed a senior housing complex. They retired in 1996, and returned to WaKeeney. Marjorie died Oct. 16, 2005.

He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church; the Knights of Columbus; the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 3774; and the Big Creek Golf Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marjorie; two brothers, George Nemechek and infant brother, Robert Nemechek; a son-in-law, Vern Lacy; and daughter-in-law, Merry Nemechek.

Survivors include three sons, Bill of Lincoln, Calif., Larry and wife, Barby of Marietta, Ga., and Greg of Overland Park, Kan.; three daughters, Patty Hall of Reno, Nev., Sharon Lacy of Los Angeles, Calif., and Renee Willhite and husband, Paul of Overland Park; two brothers, Doug Nemechek of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Richard Nemechek and wife, Carol of WaKeeney; four sisters, Chorlotte Albers of Grinnell, Kan., Darlene Tomanek and husband LaVerne of WaKeeney, Betty Lipp and husband, Reginald of Collyer, Kan., and Mary Jo McClanahan and husband, Gary of Wakeeney; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and local survivors, Bob and wife, Joann Nemechek of McCook.

Services were Nov. 28, at Christ the King Catholic Church in WaKeeney.

Memorials will be accepted for the Christ the King Cemetery.

Announcement courtesy of Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook.