Willard H. Kratz
October 11, 1928 ~ March 27, 2022
Willard H. Kratz, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on March 27, 2022 in Wichita, Kansas.
Willard was born on the family farm in Skippack, Pennsylvania to Willard D. Kratz and Catherine V. Kratz (Heacock) on October 11, 1928. As a young man in 1948, he married the love of his life, Charlotte “Linda” E. Goezel at Frieden’s United Church of Christ in Sumneytown, Pennsylvania. He pursued his love of electronics through his initial study of radios and televisions and then his work as a computer engineer with Burroughs Corporation, which brought him to Wichita, Kansas in 1956. Together, Willard and Linda welcomed six children who survive him at this time: Connie (Mark) Christian, Susan (Tom) Wagle, David (Pepper) Kratz and Jill (Dennis) Manson, all of Wichita, Becky (Ralph) Teran of Kansas City, MO, and Donald (Sherrie) Kratz of Springfield, MO. In addition, Willard is survived by his wife, Linda, of 73 years, 27 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren, and sister, June D. Kirk of Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
Willard was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Paul H. and Perry H. Kratz, and Nancy J. Schreiber; as well as his beloved granddaughter, Julia M. (Wagle) Scott.
Willard’s joys included traveling, his family, camping, working his land in Fredonia, Kansas as well as establishing Kratz’s Christmas Tree Farm in Andover, Kansas. He was grounded by his Christian faith that provided direction, hope and peace through his 93 years of life.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, April 1, 2022 at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. The service will be live streamed and available to view by clicking "Watch Event" below. Burial services will follow at Lakeview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with Mennonite Disaster Service, 583 Airport Rd., Lititz, PA 17543.
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Mr. Kratz used to scare me when I was a child & visited the household to see Becky on Sundays after church. He had a commanding presence in the home. He had to, there were 6 children I grew to appreciate as I aged. He was a good-hearted man with a good-hearted wife, Linda. Together they raised six productive children. Mr & Mrs Kratz were friends with my parents. Their daughter, Becky has been my lifelong friend through many of my own crises. God Bless the whole family!
We were so sad to hear of Willie’s passing. Willie and Linda had become such dear friends of my parents, Willie’s Uncle Harold and Aunt Elsie Heacock. Thus, we also considered them very dear to us. I was always excited to see them when they traveled east. I remember after my dad passed, my mom started doing things at 80 that she couldn’t do before. She had never flown by airplane, but she flew to Wichita to visit Willie and Linda! Whenever they were able to travel to this area for our annual Heacock reunion, I was so excited to see them again. Linda, we will be praying for you as he will be deeply missed! May our precious Lord hold you tightly in His loving arms and give you comfort and peace! Rod and Rae Alderfer
I was certainly sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. I know he was a good example for you kids. Marilyn Porter