Billy Bates McKay

McKay, Billy Bates “Bill”, 90, passed away at Wesley Hospital on the evening of Thursday, September 14, 2006, following complications after a hip fracture, two weeks prior. He had 90 wonderful years on this earth. He was known for being fun loving and had a special wit and sense of humor. Billy was born in Farmer City, IL and moved to Wichita during grade school. He graduated from North High School in 1936. He married Janet Vance, also of Farmer City, IL in 1939. They had two children, Michael Vance and Suzanne Bates. He worked as a conductor for the Atchison-Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad for over 40 years. He was an active member of the College Hill United Methodist Church. The Double Circle Sunday School Class was a 2nd family to him. He enjoyed a good joke, dominos, Skip-Bo, watching “That 70s Show”, but nothing was more important being with his family. He is preceded in death by his cherished wife, Janet Suzanne and beloved daughter, Suzanne Bates. Billy Bates is survived by his son, Michael Vance McKay of St. Louis, MO and daughter-in-law Linda McKay; granddaughters, Kimberly McKay Penning of Kansas City, MO, Kerri McKay Hirsch of Newport Beach, CA, Molly McKay Webster of Washington DC, and Mia Tiefenbrunn of Sullivan, MO. He is also survived by his son-in-law, Steven Sickel of Olathe, KS and grandchildren, Scott Sickel of Olathe, KS and Sarah Davis of Spokane, WA. There are also 16 great-grandchildren. For those who knew him, he will be remembered for a mischievous twinkle in his blue eyes and his independence. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society, 435 S. Broadway, S-100, Wichita, KS, 67202, in honor of his daughter, to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 1653, Topeka, KS, 66601, in honor of his wife, or College Hill United Methodist Church, 2930 E. First, Wichita, KS, 67214. A private memorial service will be held at a later date in Farmer City, IL. Downing Lahey Mortuary East.