William “Bill” Yager

William “Bill” W. Yager, 88, passed away Friday, November 26, 2021 at Grand Plains Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in Pratt, Kan.

He was born to Ruth M. and William C. Yager, on December 14, 1932, in Ada, Kan. Bill was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at St. John Lutheran Church, Lincoln. He was raised in Ada and graduated from Ada High School in 1950.

Bill attended Brown Mackie Business School and received an Associate’s Degree. He was then drafted into the United States Army and served in the Korean War. He was discharged in 1954. Bill moved to Lincoln where he met Jolene Carol Panzer. The two were married on December 4, 1960 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ellsworth, Kan. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Debra and Pamela. Bill went to work for Gourley Ford until he bought the dealership in 1985. He owned and operated it until he retired in 2012. Bill was involved in the car business for over 50 years. He was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church, Lincoln and VFW Post 7928 where he was highly involved. He was the commander of the VFW Post 7928 and then later, the commander of the color guard. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 165 in Lincoln. Bill was such an honorable veteran and loved his country and serving it. He loved playing cards with his friends at the Senior Center. He also enjoyed his many trips to Las Vegas that he and his cronies took throughout the years.

Bill was a loving and dutiful husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for his family. He loved and adored his wife, children, and grandchildren. He always made sure he got a card sent and never missed anybody’s birthday. They truly came first. After spending the last couple of weeks in the hospital with a kidney cancer diagnosis, he got to spend his final days with his two daughters and their families.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ruth Yager; wife, Jolene Panzer Yager; a baby brother and baby sister; brother, Richard Yager; and son-in-law, Dennis Larkin.

He is survived by his daughters, Debra Larkin of Medicine Lodge, Kan. and Pamela (Todd) Schimke of De Soto, Kan.; six grandchildren, Andrew Larkin, Kayla Larkin, Cora Schimke, Connor Schimke, Breanna Larkin, and Colton Schimke; and great granddaughter, Jemma Whitebread.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at Hall Chapel, Lincoln.

A funeral service will follow at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at St. John Lutheran Church with burial following at Lincoln Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. John Lutheran Church or Lincoln VFW Post 7928, c/o, Hall Chapel, PO Box 37, Lincoln, KS 67455.

Condolences can be left at hallchapel.com.