Bill Kasitz

William “Bill” R. Kasitz, 91, died Tuesday (January 16, 2018) in Peabody, Kansas.

Bill was born on April 4, 1926 on a snow blizzard day on the family farm in Walton, Ks., to William F. and Elsie (Gut) Kasitz, 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 team 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.A., 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 to several national square dance conventions in their motorhome where they met so many new friends.
Bill was an officer and member of the Nation Fraternity of Eagles. He loved his grandkids, going to musicals, sport 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, Ks.; daughters Phyllis Boothe (Gary Dix) of Benton, Ks., and Shirley Smith of Wichita; grandchildren; Howard (Maria) Boothe, Marcus Kasitz, Kaleb Kasitz and Curtis Kasitz; four great grandchildren; Haylie West, 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 2:00 P.M., Friday (January 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 1:00 P.M., on Thursday where the family will receive friends between 5:00 P.M. and 7:00 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.