William Ketterman

William Robert Ketterman died Sunday November 2, 2014 at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center in Coffeyville, Kansas. He was 89.

Bill Ketterman was born on November 18, 1924 to Harold Rufus and Bessie Mae Beck Ketterman, in Dodge City, Kansas. He spent his early years in Dodge City, graduating from high school there. He started work as a young man still in high school, working at a local soda fountain, serving malts and ice cream cones to customers. Bill enjoyed swimming, his friends, and his Boy Scout troop, where he received the Eagle Scout award. He attended junior college before enlisting in the Army. He served during World War II in the Pacific theater. After his discharge, he went to Kansas State University where he graduated in 1947 with a Bachelors degree in chemical engineering. On August 9, 1947, Bill married Anne Elizabeth Darby in Manhattan, Kansas. Bill and Anne raised a family together, and passed on to their children their love of nature, traveling, and reading. He was hired by the Cooperative Refinery Association, starting his professional career in Coffeyville, Kansas as a chemical engineer in 1951. He worked for the same company in various engineering and managerial positions at Phillipsburg, Kansas Kansas City, Missouri and back to Coffeyville in 1962, where he was employed at the refinery until retirement in 1989. Bill enjoyed his work and his coworkers, and served eventually as the refinery superintendent.

Bill loved the people and community of Coffeyville. He served on the City Council from 1971 to 1977 and was Mayor of Coffeyville from 1974 to 1975. He was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church, where he enjoyed various groups, the Mens Prayer Breakfasts, and taking mission trips to Haiti and Louisiana. He was also a long term member of the local Lions Club. He and Anne travelled to many of the National Lions Club conventions, where he was chosen as Kansas Lions Club Governor. He loved running, the outdoors, creating awardwinning bird carvings, and particularly enjoyed his time as a Boy Scout leader. In his later years, Bill was a proud member of the 1500 Club and worked with the local Genesis Food Pantry.

Bill Ketterman was a beloved son, husband, father, brother, grandfather, and uncle. He is survived by his three children, Kathleen Anne Fred Anderson of Bear River City, Utah Deborah Lynn Philip Peterson of St. Louis, Missouri and Kent Earl Loni Ketterman of Eagle River, Alaska. He has 15 grandchildren, and 34 greatgrandchildren. Bill also leaves behind his brothers, David Sandy Kitsmiller of Texas and Donald Mercedes Kitsmiller of Florida.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, his favorite aunt Mabel Ketterman, his stepfather, William Kitsmiller, his brother Harold Ketterman, and his wife of 66 years, Anne Ketterman.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of FordWulfBruns Chapel in Coffeyville, Kansas. A memorial service will be held Thursday, November 6, 2014 at 10:00 am at the First United Methodist Church, 10th and Elm, in Coffeyville, Kansas. Inurnment will follow at Fairview Cemetery.

The family has suggested that memorial contributions in Bills name be made to the Genesis Food Pantry or to the donors charity of choice these may be left with the funeral home.

Service

Cemetery