William L. “Grandpa Bill” Charlton

Bill Charlton, 89, Mission, KS, passed away July 10, 2016 at St. Joseph Medical Center. Bill was born on October 1, 1926 in Zarah, KS to William J. and Evangeline Antoine Charlton. He attended Monticello Grade School while growing up on his grandparent's truck farm where he helped with the crops and animals and sold vegetables at the City Market, as well as working with his grandpa, a stone mason and builder. When he was 5 years old "Billy's" mother decided he should start taking violin lessons at Jenkins Music Company. He studied the violin for 12 years, and played on the Kiddie Korral Radio Show, with his high school orchestra, the N. DeRubertis Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Philharmonic and KC Singing Strings. While attending Shawnee Mission Rural High School, he worked in his parent's grocery store and motor car repair shop.

In 1946, while commuting to KU, Bill started establishing the Pioneer Manor, a restaurant and tavern on old 10 Highway between Zarah and Monticello. He co-managed until 1948 when he was hired as a salesman for Swift & Co. where he worked for 23 years. During this time he met and married his beautiful bride, Mary Alice, who preceded him in death in 2004 after 54 years of marriage. In 1971 Bill went to work for Farmland Industries as a key account salesman, retiring in 1991. That same year he began serving as product procurement specialist for Harvesters Community Food Network, retiring again in 2001.

During his life Bill liked to hunt, box, fish, golf and took great pride in his home, yard and flowers. He enjoyed following all aspects of the business and financial markets as well as KU basketball and football, the Royals and Chiefs. He loved spending time with his family, encouraging his children and grandchildren in their scholastic, artistic & athletic endeavors, and keeping up on what was going on in their lives.

Bill was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church for 60 years and more recently St. Pius X Catholic Church; a 3rd degree member of Knights of Columbus Council 2322; Allied Food Club of Kansas City; one of the founding members of St. Joseph Parish School Board and its Athletic Booster Club; Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity at KU; Shawnee City Planning Commission; and the Ole Boys of Shawnee Mission North class of '44.

Besides Mary Alice and his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his granddaughter Kimberly Charlton sisters-in-law Dorothy Anne Van Hoet & Genevieve Watson and brothers-in-law Richard Keating & Joseph Van Hoet. Survivors include a son, Michael Charlton and wife Mary, Fort Smith, AR; two daughters, Karen Tholen and husband Bill, Roeland Park, KS; and Sharon Soetaert and husband Tom, Emporia, KS; 11 grandchildren, and their spouses Bryan (Karena) Charlton, Mark (Jennifer) Charlton, Melissa (Stuart) Tyndall, Kristin (Brandon) Rogne, Patrick Charlton, Heather Tholen, Billy (Barbara) Tholen, Amanda (Brandon) Long, Danny (Amy) Soetaert, Peter (Elise) Soetaert, Jan (Aaron) Trelc; great grandchildren Braden, Seth & Jonah; Thomas, Anna Claire & Emma; Taylor & Molly; Magnolia; JP; Lillie, Blake & Noah; Finian & Edie; Linus; Lucas, Colin & Reagan; Ian & Isaac; Harrison, Ella & Kennedy + many nieces & nephews. And he loved every one.

Visitation will be held Friday, July 15 from 5:30-8:30 at Amos Family Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Dr. Shawnee, KS where a short remembrance and the Rosary recitation will be at 8:00. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, July 16 at 10:00 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 5500 Woodson Rd, Mission, KS. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Shawnee, KS.

Memorial contributions may be made in Bill's name to Harvesters Community Food Network, 3801 Topping Ave., Kansas City, MO 64129.

A job well done. May you rest in peace. God Bless.