William F. "Bill" Daniels of Shawnee, Kansas, died at age 79 on Saturday March 14, 2015, resting peacefully in his recliner at his home. His exact cause of death is unknown. Bill was born 7/29/35 in Wellington, Kansas, to Ralph and Elva Daniels. He had three siblings, one sister and two brothers. In 1953, Bill graduated from Wellington High School and furthered his education at Wichita Business College and the American Institute of Banking. On 8/7/55, Bill married Rhoda "Jean" Fitz in a marriage that lasted nearly a lifetime - until Jean's passing due to Alzheimer's 56 years later. They had a son, Brad, who gave them four grandchildren they adored.

Bill served in the National Guard and the U.S. Air Force. Bill and his family moved to Shawnee in 1965. He worked at Shawnee State Bank for over 35 years starting as a collector and was eventually promoted to senior vice president retaining that title when Shawnee State Bank was acquired by Commerce Bank. He was a very active member of the Shawnee community and served on the Board of Directors for the American Institute of Banking, Shawnee Jaycees, Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, Shawnee United Methodist Church, and other various organizations. Additionally, he was instrumental in the Old Shawnee Town Bandstand and Town Hall construction, Jaycee member recruitment, and the Old Shawnee Town parade committee. In 2006, he was Grand Marshall of the Old Shawnee Days Parade and his granddaughter Mackenzie has fond memories of riding along with him. Bill was always willing to lend a helping hand to others and volunteered countless hours at the Shawnee Fire Department and the Shawnee Mission Hospital Emergency Room.

Bill was Commissioner of the Shawnee Planning Commission from 1971-1975 and helped further the development of Shawnee. He received the 1975 Shawnee Chamber of Commerce "Man of the Year Award." He received the Citizen of the Year award from the Knights of Columbus in 2000. Bill was named as one of the nation's top 10 Jaycees.

His hobbies included boating, fishing, hunting, golf and playing poker. He loved to go on fishing trips to Bennett Springs with his grandsons. At a recent family gathering, it was discovered that he was a covert pool shark when he defeated everyone playing. He enjoyed attending KU basketball and football games with family and friends.

Bill is survived by his son, Brad (Patty), four grandchildren Justin (Cindy), Cody, Mackenzie, and Carter. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Elva, his wife, Jean 8/9/11 and siblings Ralph, Jr. 9/13/81, Emma Lou Fitts 6/14/94, and Kenneth 6/29/82.

Visitation and Memorial Service

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Friday, March 27, 2015, at the Amos Family Funeral Home. Memorial service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 28, 2015, at Shawnee United Methodist Church, 10700 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas.

Memorial Contributions

The family suggests contributions can be made to:

Shawnee Community Services

PO Box 3072

Shawnee, KS 66203

or

Shawnee United Methodist Church

10700 Johnson Drive

Shawnee, KS 66203