Charles "Bill" William Baxter

Charles William “Bill” Baxter, 90, of Wamego, Kansas passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at the Wamego City Hospital. Bill was born January 2, 1923 in Wamego, Kansas, the son of John L. and Lula (Helm) Baxter. He attended Wamego public schools, before graduating from Wamego High School in 1941. After high school Bill attended Washburn University for one semester before working on defense projects and enlisting in the United States Army on December 4, 1942. Bill served as a cannoneer in Cannon Co., 407th Infantry Regiment, 102nd Infantry Division, as they entered combat in Germany in October, 1944. He served in the Army until being honorably discharged in February, 1946. While serving in the Army, Bill was awarded the European Theater Ribbon with two battle stars for the Righland Campaign and the battle for Central Europe. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge for service in the War and the Bronze Star for exemplary service, which was later given for holders of the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. After the military Bill attended Kansas State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1950. After graduation he went to work for John Deere Implement in Wamego. In 1960, Bill was appointed postmaster in Wamego where he served for 23 years before his retirement in 1983. Bill enjoyed his retirement, genealogy and traveling. He traveled to Europe, the Hawaiian Islands, the Caribbean and Alaska just to name a few. Bill was a member of the Wamego American Legion Post #172, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the National Association of Postmasters of the United States, the Wamego Historical Society, Wamego Chamber of Commerce, Wamego Senior Center and the Wamego Public Library Board. He was also a member of the Wamego First United Methodist Church and was appointed Citizen of the Year in 2005 by the Wamego Chamber of Commerce. Bill is survived by one brother: John “Jack” Baxter and wife Helen of Savage, Minnesota, seven nieces, three nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his brother: Donald and one nephew. Funeral services for Bill will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego. Cremation will take place following services. Bill will lie in-state beginning at 1:00 p.m. Monday with a visitation being held from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Wamego Public Library, Community Health Ministry or the Wamego Hospital and may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, 66547, Wamego, KS.