Bill E. Dautel, the only child of G. Lewis and Mina Enis (Jones) Dautel, was born in the home at Attica, Kansas, on June 28, 1930. He joined his family of "adopted" brothers in Heaven on February 10, 2017, at the age of 86 years, while a resident at the Anthony Community Care Center.

He was married to Pat Peitz and they were blessed with 66 anniversaries. Their children are: Toni Wynne, TaLana Lu, and Todd William.

Bill worked in the plumbing, heating, and air conditioning field, as a mechanic, and as an auto parts sales person, but above all, he was a farmer at heart.

He grew up during the Great Depression Years, at a time when people moved often to find work and jobs were not available for a long length of time. While growing up he attended school at fourteen different places. Some of those places include: Waldron; Winfield; Attica; 99 Springs near Medicine Lodge; Alva, Oklahoma; and Pawnee, Oklahoma.

Bill attended Spring Township High School, graduating in 1948. He loved music and played the clarinet in his youth. He enjoyed playing basketball in high school. He was the "youngster" on the "old" mens' community fast pitch team.

During his high school years, Bill and his special friend, Kenny Linn, loved flying Aeronica Airplanes together. Bill performed his solo flight during this time.

One of his fondest memories was his youth in Pawnee, Oklahoma, where he was often a guest at the ranch of Gordon Lillie, better known as Pawnee Bill of Pawnee Bill's Wild West Show. He loved riding Pawnee Bill's horses, watching Mexican Joe (Jose' Barrera) make horsehair ropes, and playing at the mansion and buffalo ranch. While living in Pawnee, he developed a great love and respect for Native Americans. When playing with his Indian friends, he often played the Indian because the Indian boys wanted to be the cowboys. Through the years, Bill enjoyed taking his family back to visit Pawnee Bill's Ranch and Museum.

Bill's Grandma Dautel operated a boarding house in Attica for the train engineers, with whom he became acquainted. Sometimes he rode with those engineers on the train from Attica to Alva, or Attica to Harper, and back.

He had many hobbies, including woodworking, stained glass, building mountain dulcimers, music, his dog and airplane collections, antiques, roses and plants, and traveling. Annual trips to Colorado were a highlight for the whole family. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and shooting sports. But his favorite past time was following the activities of his children and grandchildren.

Bill had many friends with whom he enjoyed swapping insults and sometimes playing pranks. He became a good friend and a mentor to many young men that he worked with, and those friendships have continued throughout the years.

Bill was preceded to Heaven by his parents; his sister-in-law, Norma Peitz; brother-in-law, Richard Peitz; many dear aunts and uncles; and several very special friends.

Bill had a very protective love for his wife, children, and grandchildren. He will be lovingly remember by his wife, Pat; and daughters, Toni (Richard) McKee all of Anthony; Lanie (Sid) Burkholder of Harper; and son Todd of Lawrence. He will also be remembered by his granddaughters: Tiffani (Matt) Lara; Kelly (Tyler) Robertson; and Katie (Corey) Schmidt; and grandsons: Sean McKee, Jonathan (Connie) Burkholder, Josh, Chris and Quintin Lara; as well as his Great Grandchildren: Brooke, Eric, Charity, J-Dean, Mikhail, Brigham and Carter. In addition, he will be missed by a special sister-in-law, Nancy Peitz; many nieces and nephews; dear friends; and the staffs of The Anthony Community Care Center; Rivercross Hospice; and The Harper Hospital.

A celebration of life will be held at The First Christian Church in Anthony at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, February 25; with inurnment to follow at 4:30 P.M. at the Crystal Springs Mennonite Church Cemetery.

Friends may register 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Prairie Rose in Anthony.

Memorials are suggested to: The First Christian Church of Anthony, The Anthony Community Care Center, or Chaparral High School Trap Shooting Team.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003, is in charge of arrangements.