William "Bill" Brecheisen

William Roy "Bill" Brecheisen Sr., age 100, of Welda, Kansas, passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2022 at Iola, Kansas.
Bill was born on September 9, 1922 at Welda, to William Charles Brecheisen and Agnes (Livingston) Brecheisen. He grew up in Welda, graduating from Welda High School with the class of 1939.
Bill entered the US Army on November 22, 1942. He was a WWII veteran, serving in Africa and Europe, and was wounded in Sicily. Bill was a decorated veteran, receiving two Purple Heart Medals, the Bronze Star Medal, the Distinguished Unit Badge, the Meritorious Service Medal, the medal of the France Libe're'e, and the prestigious French Croix de Guerre with Palm for the Battle of the Colmar Pocket. In 2017 France sent Consul General Lacroix to award Bill the French Legion of Honor. Bill served a total of 39 years and 304 days of combined service to the US Army and the Kansas Army National Guard, retiring at the rank of Major.
Bill was united in marriage to Edith Lucille Serene on May 18, 1946 at Welda. Their union was blessed with four children, Royanne, Rosalyn, William Roy Jr., and Raymond. Lucille preceded Bill in death on January 16, 1973.
On March 30, 1975 Bill married Eva Marie Womelsdorf at Welda; she preceded him in death on March 26, 2013.
Bill served faithfully as a member of the Welda UMC. He left notes and a well worn bible as a testament to his faith, and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
After returning from WWII, Bill farmed until 1956 when he began working for the Kansas Department of Transportation, as a construction engineer. After retiring from KDOT in 1997, Bill then worked as a consultant engineer for Cook, Flatt and Strobel for another eight years, finally retiring at age 83.
Bill participated in the banding of migratory birds for 63 years. He actively collaborated in field studies with the KU Natural History Museum and was actively involved in the Kansas Ornithological Society and the Kansas Biological Survey. In his "retirement" Bill increased his bird banding activity, building and maintaining over 536 bluebird nesting boxes throughout Anderson County, continuing until he was 97.
In his free time he enjoyed gardening, cutting wood, and teaching hunter safety education. As a young child, Bill helped his dad with fur harvesting and conservation. This was an interest that he continued through his life, teaching the younger generation as a Kansas Fur Harvester instructor. Bill never worked in a job that gave him the title of "teacher" but he was a lifelong educator as he shared his knowledge with others.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Marie Gooden, Lawrence, Eva Mae, Lowell, Amelia Thurman, and Louis; son in law, Robert Hutson; adopted daughter, Brandi; step-daughters, Gloria Martin and Debbie Womelsdorf; grandson, John W. Cobb; step grandson, Lee Hicks; and one great grandson, James Rogers.
Bill is survived by his four children, Royanne Hutson of Muskogee, Oklahoma, Rosalyn Kellstadt and husband, Kenny of Welda, W.R. Brecheisen and wife, Janet of Topeka, Kansas, Raymond Brecheisen of Pittsburg, Kansas; eight grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; three step children, Linda Womelsdorf of Iola, Shirley Cantrell and husband, Robert of Kansas City, Kansas, and Dan Womelsdorf of Welda; several step grandchildren and great grandchildren; and additional nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
Services for Bill will be held on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at 10:30 AM at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service - Garnett with Pastor Bill Nelson officiating. Burial will follow in the Welda Cemetery. Bill's family will greet friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Tuesday evening at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service - Garnett. Memorial contributions may be made to Kansas Hunter Safety Education and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .