William "Bill" Allen Ledeboer

Belvue-William (Bill) Allen Ledeboer passed away Friday, April 10, 2009, at the age of 73 in his home at Belvue, Kansas. Bill was born to William Arnold and Eunice Marie Schmedemann Ledeboer on January 3, 1936 on the family farm near Dwight, Kansas. Bill grew up there and graduated from Junction City High School in 1955. He served in the United States Navy from 1956-1959. He was a guided missile technician on the USS Intrepid, CVA-11. Bill was married to Molly Sue Prickett on December 27, 1957 in Alta Vista, Kansas, she survives of the home. He worked as a crane operator for Frisbie Bridge Company from 1960-1985 and for Wolf Construction Company until his retirement in 1998. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 101 and the KANZA chapter of the Oregon California Trail Association. Bill attended the Belvue United Methodist Church in Belvue where he served on the board and taught Sunday school. He completed the Menniger Bible Study course and the United Methodist Disciple Bible Study course. Bill was instrumental in construction of the Oregon Trail Nature Park and served as caretaker since its opening in May of 1996. Bill served on the Belvue City Council for over 40 years and was an active volunteer in many community projects including the newly constructed Belvue Fire Barn. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Survivors include his wife, Molly of Belvue; his children Lesa (Michael) Brose, Valley Falls, Kansas; William (Debra) Ledeboer Jr., Maple Hill, Kansas; Joan (Mike) Seitz, McFarland, Kansas; Grandchildren: Crystal (Caleb) Clark, Valley Falls, Kansas; Dianna (Thomas) Welsh, Topeka, Kansas, Bill, Beth, Becca and Dawn Ledeboer of Maple Hill, Kansas, Jessica and Chelsea Lesline, McFarland, Kansas, Corporal Brennan (Jessica) Seitz, USMC, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and, Petty Officer 3rd class Brandon Seitz, USCG, Traverse City, Michigan; great-grandchildren, Carson and Calleigh Clark and Evan Lesline. He is also survived by two siblings, Darlene Kelch, Eskridge, Kansas, and Robert (Alice) Ledeboer, Silver Lake, Kansas. A memorial service for Mr. Ledeboer will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego. The family will greet friends during a time of visitation prior to the memorial service, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Inurnment with military burial honors will follow in the Belvue Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Belvue Park Organization or to Manhattan Homecare and Hospice, and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, P.O. Box 48, 66547.