William M. Obley

Services for William M. Obley,81, of Junction City, KS will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Friday, May 17, 2002, at 1:00 p.m.Reverend Dr. Bert Buurman will officiate. William died May 13,2002 at Geary Community Hospital. Visitation will be Thursday, May 16, 2002, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at Fort Riley Cemetery, Fort Riley, KS with full Military Honors. Memorial Contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 804 N. Jefferson, Junction City, KS 66441. William was born June 7, 1920, Saffordville, KS to William C. and Vera (McClelland) Obley. William Graduated from Emporia High School in 1938. He attended Emporia State
University, earning both a Bachelors and Masters degree. Part of his graduate work was done at Wisconsin University in Madison, WI. He joined Company B, 137th Infantry Regiment of the Kansas National Guard in 1937 and was called to active duty in 1940 prior to World War II, receiving his commission from Fort Benning's Infantry Officer Candidate School in July 1942. During World War II he served in the European Theater with the 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 17th Airborne Division earning three Campaign stars and the Bronze Star and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge in January 1945. During the Korean war his service was with the 187th Regimental Airborne Combat Team in Korea in 1951 through 1953. Following his retirement from the Army in 1964 he taught school at Fort Riley Junior High for 2 years and was a civilian employee in the Fort Riley Information Office, editing the Post's newspaper for 17 years. He married Nadine Patterson of Junction City at Fort Riley on January 8, 1943, she survives of the home.Memberships: Member of First United Methodist Church, serving in many capacities. Member of American Legion Post #5 of Emporia and was a 60 year plus member of Emporia Lodge #12, AF&AM of Emporia and of the Topeka Consistory of the Scottish Rite for 56 plus years. He was a member of the Geary County Historical Society, serving on the Board of Directors. President of the Kiwanis Club 1967, member of TROA, The Retired Officers Association. Survivors: One son; William W. Obley of Camas, WA, One daughter; Nancy Kilborn of Rancho Murieta, CA and Five grandchildren, and Three Great-Grandchildren. Preceded In Death By: Parents and one brother. Casket bearers: Fort Riley Honor Guard, Honorary Casket bearers: Alfred Peterson, Ralph Pray, Sherman Washburn, Keith Heyl, Bill Kelley, Jim Platt, Joel Hofer, Ken Topping, R.D. Foster and All Members of Company B,137th Infantry Regiment, Kansas National Guard, Mobilized for WWII at Emporia, KS. Organist, Roxie Johnston Vocalist, Melinda Martin.