William "Bill" Young, was born to William R. Young Sr. and Mildred (Greathouse) in Coffeyville, Kansas, September 18th, 1942. He entered into eternal rest on August, 17th, 2020 at his home in Park City, Kansas.
Growing up, Bill moved often and finally settled in Plainville Ks with his parents and sisters. Bill graduated from Plainville HS, and attended Fort Hays State University for a short period of time. The oil field called his name so he left Fort Hays and went to work with his father. During this time he married the love of his life Rita Kay Gilson. They met at Plainville High School when Rita was a freshman and Bill was a senior. Together they celebrated 56 years of marriage.
After working in the oil field, Bill moved his family to Park City, Kansas where he drove a truck for Coonrod and Assoc., Vulcan Chemicals and C&F Yellow Freight. In 1976 Bill and his Brother-in-Law Ronnie Hale began a company called Meter Engineers, working with petroleum measurements. Working together, they grew the company from one measurement unit to several. Bill continued with the company despite the untimely passing of Ronnie. Today the company is still thriving, servicing petroleum measurements all over the world. Bill retired from Meter Engineers in 2010 excited to spend time with Rita and travel.
During their travels in their RV’s, Bill and Rita were able to see most of the United States, along with a convoy RV trip to Alaska. Bill thoroughly enjoyed seeing the beauty of America. Not only did he enjoy traveling with Rita, but took all of the grandchildren on a trip of their choice. Visiting Disney World and Mount Rushmore. As the winters became tough for Bill to endure they enjoyed spending time and making friends at LaFaria, Texas. Card games, golf and day trips were all part of the adventures in Texas.
Bill was proud of his family and loved with his whole heart. His daughter Brenda Hamilton was a twinkle in his eye and brought a smile to his face, along with her three children, Brittney, Brandon and Brooke Hamilton. His Son Brad took after his father in the petroleum measurement business, furthering the progress of the company after learning his work ethic from his father. Brad’s children Bethany, Brylee and Bayley Young came along in time to complete his love of grandchildren. As time passed, four great-grandchildren entered into his life, Ellie Nicole, Nolan, Nora and Barrett. Bill was a very proud papa carrying pictures of his family with him everywhere he went.
An avid golfer, not a week went by that you would find him on a golf course being competitive in having the lowest stroke score. One of the many travels took Bill and Rita to the U.S. Open. Golf was not the only love of sports that Bill had, NASCAR ranks at the top. Whether traveling to Texas Motor Speedway or to Kansas City Speedway Bill was Clint Bowyer’s (#14) number one fan. Every Saturday and Sunday the TV would be on with either a race blaring and a golf tournament showing in a smaller section on the screen. Continuing with sports, Bill and Rita both enjoyed attending Wichita State University basketball games. Long standing season tickets holders and strong supporters of SASO- there wasn’t a game that they missed. Bill would send out text messages updating the family with the drama of the games.
His life was lived to the fullest, as evidenced by the number of family and friends that he held close. There wasn’t anything that Bill did not do without jumping in with both feet. From being ornery as a young boy to being as ornery even to his last breath. If you knew him, and he wasn’t teasing you, you knew something was up. His smile would lite up a room. Bill will be missed greatly by everyone that knew him and loved him.
Bill is survived by his wife, Rita Kay Young; daughter, Brenda Hamilton (Brad Jackson) of Cheney, KS; son, Brad (Brenda) Young of Benton, KS; sisters, Barbara (Raymond) Grier of Wichita, KS and Carole (Arnie) Grossnickle of Maize, KS; 6 grandchildren, Brittney Harrell (Aaron) of Ottawa, KS, Brandon & Brooke Hamilton of Wichita, KS, and Bethany, Brylee & Bayley Young of Benton, KS; 4 great-grandchildren, Ellie Hamilton, Nolan & Nora Harrell of Ottawa, KS, and Barrett Hamilton-McCullough of Wichita, KS; nieces & nephews, Trina Bauer, Heidi Brandenberger, Scott Grossnickle of Wichita, KS and Heather Wilson of Andale, KS; along with numerous great-nephews and great-nieces.
Services will be held 10:00AM, Friday, August 21st, at Northside Church of Christ, 4545 N. Meridian Ave, Wichita, KS. Burial following at Resthaven Cemetery, 11800 W. Highway 54, Wichita, KS 67209. Come and Go Visitation will be available from 10:00AM-5:00PM, Thursday, August 20th, at Resthaven Mortuary.
Memorials in Bill's memory can be made to, the American Cancer Society, 236 S. Topeka, Wichita, KS 67202.
The family has requested these services to be livestreamed from Resthaven Mortuary & Resthaven Gardens of Memory Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ResthavenMortuary/
