William "Bill" Manning
February 17, 1938 ~ November 30, 2022
William “Bill” Manning, beloved father and grandfather, died on November 30, 2022 in Wichita, at 84. He was born to Bill S. and Beulah Lenore Manning on February 17, 1938 in Green Castle, MO. He graduated from Green City High School, and attended one year at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO. He later took classes from WSU in electronics and math. He moved to Wichita in 1956 and was employed as an avionics technician for 43 years, retiring from Honeywell. In Wichita, he met Helen Carns. They married in 1958 and were married for 57 years. He is survived by a brother, Robert (Sandy) of Wichita; two sons, Scott (Andy) of Lewisburg, PA; Mark (Laura) of Wichita; and three grandchildren, Kelsey, Jennifer, and Parker. After Helen’s death, he married Patricia Surls-Templeman in 2018, who survives. Bill served on several committees and boards at his church. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, including the York Rite Bodies, and several appendant, and honorary bodies - all of which he had served as presiding officer. He was a perpetual member of the Eastern Star, Scottish Rite and Shrine. His hobbies were many and varied. He could fix or restore anything, including cars, watches, clocks, radios, furniture, and anything in between. If it came apart, he wanted to see what was inside and how it worked, and if it didn’t come apart he took it apart anyway. He also enjoyed building and making things. He had a passion for art and enjoyed drawing and taking art classes. He was an accomplished artist who enjoyed oil painting and acrylics, and he was a member of the Kansas Art Guild. He won many ribbons for his paintings. For almost 20 years, friends and family enjoyed his annual Christmas card, which featured a new holiday painting. He enjoyed the simple things in life like a cold beer or a hot cup of coffee and going for long drives across the country or just across town. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.Visitation will be from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Funeral Service will be at 10:00 am, Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at Calvary United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with Calvary United Methodist Church, 2525 N. Rock Rd., Wichita, KS 67226; and Shriners Hospital for Children, 4400 Clayton Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110.
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Bill was a true gentleman. I enjoyed his demeanor, laughter and wit. I was an active member for years at The Wichita York Rite. We had great times putting on degree work for classes and served together as officers. I will miss him and all the other fine men who have gone to their just reward. I was the youngest of that group of men. I am 62 now and God blessed me to have known Bill. Knowing him made me a better husband, father, man, and Christian.
Lance Ross,