William Stahl

William F. "Bill" Stahl
William F. "Bill" Stahl, 89, of Junction City, died Sept. 15, 2014 at Valley View Senior Life in Junction City. Bill was born March 4, 1925 in Junction City, the son of Edward John and Reta Mae (Cline) Stahl. He attended schools in Junction City, and graduated from Junction City High School in 1943. He immediately entered the U.S. Army and served in WWII. His military service included fighting with the 106th Inf. Div. at the "Battle Of The Bulge", where he was wounded and for which he received the Purple Heart, and for 5 months was a P.O.W. in Germany.

After his discharge from the military, he entered Washburn University and graduated from Washburn School of Law in 1950. He came back to Junction City and practiced law for 60 years. During that time he served one term as Geary County Attorney, and as County Counselor for a number of years.
Bill was a member of the First United Methodist Church, which he was awarded an 80 year membership certificate. He served on various committees and boards of the church over the years, and taught Sunday school classes. Bill was also a member of the Earl C. Gormley Post #45 of the American Legion, having served as Commander and State Judge Advocate, the B.P.O.E. Lodge # 1037 of Junction City, Kansas Bar Assn., the Geary County Historical Society; and he helped establish The Northeast Kansas Chapter of the Veterans of the Battle Of The Bulge, the 40/8, the Union Lodge #7 A.F & A.M., the ISIS Shrine Temple of Salina, the Scottish Rite of Salina, and was a longtime recruiter and supporter of American Legion Boys State of Kansas, for which he received the prestigious "Friend of Boys State" award.

Bill married Mary Lou Wall in Colorado Springs, Colo. on June 16, 1961. She survives. Other survivors include: a son, Eric A. Stahl and wife Mary Louise, Junction City; 2 daughters, Jill D. Shaw and husband Lyle, and Marsha Ann Mechtley and husband Ken, all of Topeka; a grandson, Kevin W. Mechtley and wife Lindsay, Shawnee, Ks.; and a sister, Elizabeth Hooper and husband Robert, Sierra Vista, AZ. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, and 2 brothers, Robert Stahl and Carl Stahl.

A memorial service will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, September. 22, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church in Junction City. Inurnment will follow at Highland Cemetery, where military honors will be provided by the U.S. Army Honor Guard from Ft. Riley. The family will greet friends Sunday, September 21, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel, Junction City. Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Boy's State of Kansas, or First United Methodist Church, or Geary County Historical Society, sent in care of Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel, 203 N. Washington, Junction City, Kansas 66441.