Doran William “Bill” Emme, 82, Hays, was the youngest of five children born on a farm north of Kensington, Kansas to Louie and Maggie (Grauerholz) Emme on December 11, 1933. After a fifteen year battle with leukemia, he passed away on November 25, 2016 at the Hays Medical Center.
He was baptized at First St. John Lutheran Church, north of Kensington, remaining a member of that church until 1956 when he transferred his membership to the American Lutheran Church of Kensington. Bill attended grade school in a one-room country school, being a member of the last class to graduate from Liberty School District #8. In 1949, along with his parents, he moved to Kensington. He graduated from Kensington High School in 1951.
On February 21, 1954 he was united in marriage to Joan McGee of Smith Center, Kansas. To this union were born three children, Steven Lee in 1956, and Scott Dean in 1958, both born in Smith Center, and Kristin Sue in 1962, born in Hays, Kansas. The family resided in Kensington, Kansas where Bill farmed for two years, worked for Bonnett’s Plumbing in Kensington, then Ed Norden Implement until the business was closed in 1961. In November of that year, the family moved to Hays, Kansas where he was employed at S & W Supply Company as a partsman, becoming widely known for his expertise in this occupation. He retired in June 1998, after 37 years of service to that company. After retiring, Bill enjoyed working part time at Truck Parts & Equipment until recently.
Bill was known by many for his talent as a water dowser, “witching” over 800 water wells over the years. His children and grandchildren took great pride in accompanying him to these sites when possible. Bill was always happy to be able to assist people, especially those whose wells had gone dry and were hauling water for daily use in their homes, as well as for cattle in pastures.
Bill enjoyed working with wood and he spent many enjoyable hours working on projects for family and friends, as well as projects for their church.
Of great joy to him were his grandchildren; Brad Emme of Topeka; Craig Emme and wife Allisa of Raymore, MO; Ryan Emme of Salina, Kyle and Hannah Emme of Charlotte, NC, and Erin Osler of Olathe, Sean Osler of Wichita, and Trent Osler of Andover. Four great grandsons also survive, Jackson and Jordan Emme of Topeka, and Dash and Ryder Emme of Raymore, MO.
He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Joan of the home; children, Steve and wife Kim, Topeka; Scott and wife Patty, Salina; Kris and husband Tom, Andover, his grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brother, August Emme and wife Alma; nephew Robert Emme; sister, Alma Bronson and husband Warren; sister, Ada Gaines and husband Francis; brother, Louis Emme and wife Jeri; and a niece, Catherine Emme.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Monday, November 28, 2016 at the Messiah Lutheran Church, 2000 Main Street. Burial will be at 2:00 pm in the Germantown Cemetery north of Kensington, Kansas. Visitation will be from 9:00 am until service time on Monday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Leukemia Society, in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com or via email at [email protected].
Listen to Mike Cooper interviewing Bryan Noone, Director of The Sleep and Neurodiagnostic Institute at HaysMed, with the topic of “Sleep” by clicking the link above and then clicking the play button
Listen as ‘Voice of the Chiefs’ Mitch Holthus recaps last week’s loss comeback win over AFC West rival San Diego and previews Sunday’s game at Houston.
