William David "Bill" Whitis, age 78, passed away peacefully at his cabin home at Anthony Lake, on Monday afternoon, September 26, 2022. Born January 10, 1944 to Jack and Phyllis (Abernathy) Whitis in Goodland, Kansas, Bill spent his early days in Sharon Springs, KS. They then moved to Great Bend, Kansas where he graduated high school, eventually serving in the US Army from 1965-1970.

While still in high school, around 1960, he started working for Dillon's Food Stores. Over the course of 42 years, he worked at, and was on the store management teams, in Lyons, Great Bend, El Dorado, Mulvane, Dodge City, Topeka & Hutchinson. An avid fisherman, he retired to his beloved cabin at Anthony City Lake in 2002, catching crappie by the hundreds, and telling the tallest of tales for the past twenty years.

Bill was a super smart guy with a sense of humor you just had to understand. He was sharp, snarky, and one of the funniest people you've ever met. Bill always did what he said he would do, and he had an incredible work ethic at both his stores, and in his yard. He prided himself on being honest. A self-studied history buff, he was incredible at explaining the intricacies of just about every war. He was also fantastic at playing blackjack, taking several trips to Las Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City, cleaning house everywhere he went. Bill also loved coffee, the Arkansas Razorbacks, mowing his yard, the 4th of July, his many friends, and his beloved grandkids.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Jeri; and granddaughter, Tori.

He will be deeply missed by his son, Kendall Jackson and wife, Gloria of Dodge City; granddaughter, Taylor Dye and husband, Tyler and their children, Payton, Brooklyn, and Owen, all of Cimarron, KS; grandson Tyler Jackson of Manhattan, KS; other relatives and many friends.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 30, 2022 at Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Anthony.  Friends may sign the register from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday.

Memorials in memory of Bill may be made to the Anthony Public Library and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003.