William H. "Bill" Yandell
January 21, 1935 — October 6, 2022
William Henry Yandell was born in Wichita, Kansas, to Juanita and Dayrel Yandell on January 21, 1935. He joined Jesus on October 6, 2022. He spent his early years helping with the family farm and business operation in Piedmont, Kansas. He especially enjoyed playing outside in the water with his beloved Cocker Spaniels Cindy, Cin and Cinder and with his duck named Duck. From a young age he was very reliable and assisted his parents in various endeavors, including a time period of over two years when his father was serving in the Pacific in WW2 and his mother was responsible for the family oil business and the farm.
Farming and ranching were always important parts of Bill’s formative years. He enjoyed working on the farm and helping with the cattle operation when he was not at school or riding his horse, Rusty, or playing summer baseball. Bill was a stellar athlete at Piedmont High School lettering basketball and baseball. His time at Piedmont High was so important to him that he rarely missed a reunion, including the most recent reunion, his 69th, this past May. He maintained friendships with high school classmates up to the time of his passing.
After high school Bill attended Friends University and majored in business and minored in history and continued playing basketball and baseball. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals, but he chose instead to serve his country. While at Friends he met his future wife of almost 63 years, Barbara Springsteen Yandell. They were married on December 19, 1959, in a Christmas wedding. After graduation Bill attended Officer’s Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, and was commissioned into the United State Marine Corps. His first duty station was Pensacola, Florida, and he later served at Camp Pendleton, California. After marriage Barbara joined him in California, and they spent two and a half years living in San Clemente enjoying life as a young married couple. After leaving active duty they returned to Piedmont where he rejoined the family farming and oil company business, while maintaining his commitment to the Marines through reserves where he served for an additional 20 years.
While living in Piedmont two children were born: Kimberly and two years later David joined the family. Bill then determined he wanted to attend law school and the family moved to Topeka so he could attend Washburn Law School for three years. After receiving his law degree, the family moved to Anthony in 1972. During this time Bill was employed as an attorney in various capacities until his retirement. He enjoyed history, many trips with family, reading (serving on the library board multiple terms), time with friends, ball games, and his beloved cockers. Most importantly he was committed to his love of Jesus including his attendance for 50 years at the Anthony Christian Church where he served in a variety of capacities.
Bill was a Bible Man and a Family Man. He looked forward to various Bible studies, enjoyed understanding and learning about many obscure passages, and could be found many mornings reading his Bible with his coffee. Bill did many things for his family. He didn’t just say “I will be there for you,” he really was there. He walked the walk with his family. When David was in Alaska working temporarily and missing his family, Bill would call many mornings, talk about mundane things, never mentioning that he knew how David felt, but he ended each conversation with, “If you’re going to take the man’s dollar, give the man an honest day’s work.” Countless nights, including when Bill was still working, Bill and Barbara would attend grandchildren’s sporting events. They might drive to Fort Scott for a game and be at work the next day. Bill’s kindness to family was tested a bit when there was some confusion when Brad and Kimberly wanted to send Barbara Valentine's Day flowers. In the confusion the card read: To Bill, Love from Brad. Bill wasn’t sure how to react, but he did so kindly, and this is now a family joke. When a grandson was scheduled to be baptized in Montana, Bill flew to Montana and back in three days to attend the event, because he knew this was so important. Bill also had a “second career” as a wedding planner. David and Jennifer decided to marry in Wichita at the Springsteen home and things moved quickly. David and Jennifer were not in town until right before the wedding, so Bill picked up the rings, arranged the caterer, helped transport the wedding cake, prepared the venue, and made sure there were decorations.
He is survived by Barbara, his wife of almost 63 years; his daughter Kimberly and husband Brad Smith and grandchildren Mathieu, Mitchell, and Addie; and son David Yandell and wife Jennifer and grandchildren Gracelyn and Miller. He will be missed by two brothers and sisters-in-law and seven nieces and nephews he adored, and many friends.
Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 10, 2022 at the Christian Church in Anthony. Graveside service will be held 4:00 p.m. Monday at the Piedmont Cemetery in Greenwood County, KS. (Directions to Piedmont Cemetery- Take Hwy 400 (Kellogg) East out of Wichita about 50 miles to J Road (Mile Marker 328). Turn South on J Road and the entrance to the cemetery is about 100 yards down on the left (east). If you come to the Piedmont Exit you have gone 1 mile to far east)
Visitation with the family will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday October 9, 2022 at Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Anthony.
Memorials in memory of Bill may be made to the Anthony Christian Church and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003.
Obituary provided by Prairie Rose Funeral Home, Anthony.
Farming and ranching were always important parts of Bill’s formative years. He enjoyed working on the farm and helping with the cattle operation when he was not at school or riding his horse, Rusty, or playing summer baseball. Bill was a stellar athlete at Piedmont High School lettering basketball and baseball. His time at Piedmont High was so important to him that he rarely missed a reunion, including the most recent reunion, his 69th, this past May. He maintained friendships with high school classmates up to the time of his passing.
After high school Bill attended Friends University and majored in business and minored in history and continued playing basketball and baseball. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals, but he chose instead to serve his country. While at Friends he met his future wife of almost 63 years, Barbara Springsteen Yandell. They were married on December 19, 1959, in a Christmas wedding. After graduation Bill attended Officer’s Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, and was commissioned into the United State Marine Corps. His first duty station was Pensacola, Florida, and he later served at Camp Pendleton, California. After marriage Barbara joined him in California, and they spent two and a half years living in San Clemente enjoying life as a young married couple. After leaving active duty they returned to Piedmont where he rejoined the family farming and oil company business, while maintaining his commitment to the Marines through reserves where he served for an additional 20 years.
While living in Piedmont two children were born: Kimberly and two years later David joined the family. Bill then determined he wanted to attend law school and the family moved to Topeka so he could attend Washburn Law School for three years. After receiving his law degree, the family moved to Anthony in 1972. During this time Bill was employed as an attorney in various capacities until his retirement. He enjoyed history, many trips with family, reading (serving on the library board multiple terms), time with friends, ball games, and his beloved cockers. Most importantly he was committed to his love of Jesus including his attendance for 50 years at the Anthony Christian Church where he served in a variety of capacities.
Bill was a Bible Man and a Family Man. He looked forward to various Bible studies, enjoyed understanding and learning about many obscure passages, and could be found many mornings reading his Bible with his coffee. Bill did many things for his family. He didn’t just say “I will be there for you,” he really was there. He walked the walk with his family. When David was in Alaska working temporarily and missing his family, Bill would call many mornings, talk about mundane things, never mentioning that he knew how David felt, but he ended each conversation with, “If you’re going to take the man’s dollar, give the man an honest day’s work.” Countless nights, including when Bill was still working, Bill and Barbara would attend grandchildren’s sporting events. They might drive to Fort Scott for a game and be at work the next day. Bill’s kindness to family was tested a bit when there was some confusion when Brad and Kimberly wanted to send Barbara Valentine's Day flowers. In the confusion the card read: To Bill, Love from Brad. Bill wasn’t sure how to react, but he did so kindly, and this is now a family joke. When a grandson was scheduled to be baptized in Montana, Bill flew to Montana and back in three days to attend the event, because he knew this was so important. Bill also had a “second career” as a wedding planner. David and Jennifer decided to marry in Wichita at the Springsteen home and things moved quickly. David and Jennifer were not in town until right before the wedding, so Bill picked up the rings, arranged the caterer, helped transport the wedding cake, prepared the venue, and made sure there were decorations.
He is survived by Barbara, his wife of almost 63 years; his daughter Kimberly and husband Brad Smith and grandchildren Mathieu, Mitchell, and Addie; and son David Yandell and wife Jennifer and grandchildren Gracelyn and Miller. He will be missed by two brothers and sisters-in-law and seven nieces and nephews he adored, and many friends.
Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 10, 2022 at the Christian Church in Anthony. Graveside service will be held 4:00 p.m. Monday at the Piedmont Cemetery in Greenwood County, KS. (Directions to Piedmont Cemetery- Take Hwy 400 (Kellogg) East out of Wichita about 50 miles to J Road (Mile Marker 328). Turn South on J Road and the entrance to the cemetery is about 100 yards down on the left (east). If you come to the Piedmont Exit you have gone 1 mile to far east)
Visitation with the family will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday October 9, 2022 at Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Anthony.
Memorials in memory of Bill may be made to the Anthony Christian Church and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003.
Obituary provided by Prairie Rose Funeral Home, Anthony.
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