William L. Cummings
September 16, 1920 ~ July 21, 2011
Cummings, William L., 90, passed away peacefully Thursday, July 21, 2011. He was born September 16, 1920 in Dunkirk, N.Y., where he attended high school and graduated in 1937 as Valedictorian and President of his class. He then went on to Michigan State University and graduated Summa Cum laude in 1941 with a degree in chemical engineering. Upon graduation, he joined Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio. In 1943, Bill left Firestone and joined the U.S. Navy. He served aboard the USS Herndon as an engineering officer until May, 1946. In September of that year, he married Mary W. Lynch who also served in the Navy as a Night Flight Director Officer. Upon completing terminal leave from the Navy, he returned to Firestone as an engineering representative working with the automotive industry. Shortly thereafter, he left Firestone and joined The American Locomotive Company in Dunkirk, N.Y. where he served in various positions including that of a member of the Presidents staff. In 1967, he was recruited to be Vice President and General Manager of Koch Engineering Company in Wichita, Kansas. He became President of Koch Engineering Company in 1970 and continued with the company until his retirement in October, 1985. He is survived by his wife Mary; son, Robert (wife, Annette, son Davis), Chicago; daughters, Elizabeth Cummings, and Karen Gilchrist, Wichita; daughter, Louise Blasco, (children, Kathleen and Nicholas), Wichita; son, Daniel (children, Jennifer, Chris, and Matthew), of Highlands Ranch, CO; son, Mark (wife, Becky, children, Erin, Andrew, and Amy) of Appleton, WI; son, Tom (wife, Lisa, children, Alex, Brady, and Ethan), of Highlands Ranch, CO. Memorial Mass will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 30 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Memorials have been established with St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1321 Stratford Lane, Wichita, Kansas, 67206 and Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, 701 North Amidon, Wichita, Kansas, 67203. Downing Lahey Mortuary East.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Mary, We think fondly of Bill when we remember the good times we had playing bridge with you and Bill at Crestview Country Club. Bill was both a kind and intelligent gentleman. We really enjoyed our time with Bill.
Mark, Becky and family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you May you draw comfort from the time you enjoyed together. Roger, Gene, Jay, Nancy, Ron and Bill
Dear Mary, So sad to see in the paper William passing. Happy to see it was peaceful. My last day caring for him was very hard for me and him. He spoke of a loving family, a good full life, going to the wedding in California and he said he was not afraid of dying. Such a strong man. So proud of family. Especially you Mary. I enjoyed each week talking and caring for William. A priviledge to know and being a small part in your lives. \’A Special Couple\’ Love you both. Mary Howard RN– Wesley C.I.U.
I worked in Air Pollution Control for Koch Engineering from 1969 to 1974. Bill was President of KECI. He was very competent professionally and was one of the nicest men I’ve ever met. I continued to run itno him over the years about town and he was always friendly, cordial, and interesting. Heaven has another Saint.
Mary, Our thoushts and prayers are with you.
Dan and Mark: My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families during your time of grief.