William Donald "Bill" Blanchat was born on May 19, 1930 in Danville, Kansas to Clifford Joseph and Pauline E. (Landwehr) Blanchat.  As a child, the family moved Medicine Lodge/St. Leo area, where he attended school in St. Leo through the 6th grade.  The family then moved back to the farm in the Danville area.  He continued in grade school and then attended Harper High School, where he graduated with the class of 1948.

Enlisting in the United States Navy in 1951, Bill served on the USS Los Angeles in the Pacific Ocean during the Korean Conflict.  With the rank of Machinery Repairman Second Class, he was honorably discharged on September 16, 1954.  During his service, he obtained decorations for National Defense, Good Conduct, United Nations, and Korean Service.  After his discharge, he returned home to the family farm to help his father with farming and ranching.

On February 5, 1955, Bill was united in marriage with Verna Lee May in Wichita, Kansas at the Holy Savior Catholic Church.  The couple were blessed with seven children: Deborah, Gregory, Daniel, Randal, Jeffrey, Susan, and Nancy.  Verna passed away on January 13, 2015, less than a month shy of their 60th anniversary.

Bill was a lifetime farmer/stockman in the Danville area.  He was one of the founding members of the Danville Cooperative Association, also serving on the board of directors from 1989 to 2001.  He was never late to a board meeting, even though he was late to his own wedding.  In later years, when Verna could not locate Bill, he could be found in one of his pastures sitting in his pickup surrounded by cattle, reading a book or sleeping.

A devout Catholic, Bill attended the Immaculate Conception Church his entire life.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served where he could in the Church, to include being a lector and he "picked up the collection" (sometimes shaking the basket in front of people with a grin on his face.)  Bill was also a long time member of the Harper VFW Post #11449 and the Harper American Legion Jeff Long Post #104.

Bill passed away on November 24, 2020 in his home in Harper.  Also preceding him in death are his parents.  He will be deeply missed by his children: Deborah LaGrange (Carlos) of Wichita, Greg Blanchat (Kristi) of Clovis, California, Dan Blanchat of Danville, Randy Blanchat (Debra) of Danville, Jeff Blanchat (Anna Ruth) of Danville, Susan Blanchat of Wichita, and Nancy Blanchat of Wichita; sister, Betty Wilson of Wichita; seventeen grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Visitation is Sunday, November 29th from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Recitation of the Rosary is 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 2nd and Mass of the Christian Burial is 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 3rd, both at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Danville, of the St. Joan of Arc Parish Community, with Father Bob Pinninti officiating.  Please wear protective face covering if able to do so and practice social distancing.  Interment will follow with honors provided by the United States Navy Honor Guard at the Calvary (Fairview) Cemetery south of Danville.  Services will be live streamed on the funeral homes' Facebook page: www.facebook.com/prairierosefuneralhomes

Memorial contributions may be made to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Danville or Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse, Great Bend, Kansas and can be sent in care of the funeral home.

Bill's family would like to express their gratitude for your many kindnesses and for your attendance during this difficult time.  It is all deeply appreciated and will always be remembered.  They would also like to give a special thank you to the following caregivers: Cheryl & Harley Stark, Kristine Renner, & Shirley Stark.  Their loving care and kindness toward Bill allowed him to be at home through the end.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 613 W 14th St ~ Harper, Kansas  67058