Charles William (Bill) Alspaw was born June 13, 1931, on the family farm, son of Vera Blanche Stiver Alspaw and Allen Leslie Alspaw. He passed away June 19, 2015 at the Morris County Hospital with his family and pastor by his side.
Bill attended the Sunflower School at Wilsey, a one-room school east of his home, his entire elementary years, never having any other classmates, then attended Wilsey Rural High School, graduating in 1949. He then began working with his dad on the farm and raised his own cattle two years.
In 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Sprecker, and went to work as a farm hand for Lafe Edwards north of Wilsey, where they moved to a home on the property.
In 1953 Bill joined the Army, stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX, for two years where Kathleen joined him after basic training. They then moved back to Wilsey where he went to work for Beech Aircraft Corporation at Delavan. The plant closed, where they then relocated to Council Grove. Bill worked at the Fairmont Creamery and later for the Moorman Feed Company as a salesman. The Council Grove Production Credit Assn. offered him a position as fieldman which he thoroughly enjoyed and made many lifelong friends. He then became company president for nine years until the agriculture economy worsened and many offices were closed. Due to this agriculture and financing industry experience he was able to obtain a real estate brokers license with minimal schooling and bought and sold many property, many he turned into rental properties.
Bill was baptized at the Wilsey Methodist Church, along with his infant daughter, Angela Joy, later transferring membership to the Council Grove United Methodist Church, where he was very active and was chairman of the building committee when the new church was erected.
In January 1970 Bill purchased a farm on the west edge of Council Grove, owned by his close friends Beulah and Forrest Ferguson where he opened up the sub-division known as the Alspaw addition to Council Grove, which was very successful in achieving his desire to improve the town’s population.
Bill was very active in many community affairs, serving on the City Council for seven years and was a member of the Morris County Historical Society, serving as chairman and tour guide. One of his most fulfilling projects was the restoration of the black cemetery in a pasture, which was in need of fencing and care. He was given funds by the County Commission and with the help of two good friends, restored it to a respectful cemetery. Bill took great pleasure in this accomplishment.
Bill served several years on the Washunga Days committee and he and his wife served as grand marshals of one of the parades. He was an active member of both the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, serving as president. Bill was on the committee to help establish the National Tall Grass Prairie Preserve to become a national park, and was active in restoring the old stone barn east of Council Grove as a tourist attraction. He served in many ways to further the history and strength of Council Grove. He was a farmer at heart, loving the Flint Hills.
Bill and Kathleen enjoyed a long and happy marriage of 64 years. He loved his family and community dearly, always ready and willing to help out where needed. Home and family were very important to Bill and Kathleen, as were their many roles in the United Methodist Church.
Bill is survived by his wife, Kathleen, his daughter Angela Schultz and companion Mark Alber, granddaughter Kelly Almquist and husband Terry, grandson Dustin Schultz and his finance Molly Zwick, and two great-grandchildren, Jaxson and Kynli Almquist.
Visitation will be Tuesday evening, 5-7 p.m., at the Council Grove/Dunlap United Methodist Church in Council Grove. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, also at the church. Burial will be a private service.
Memorials made be made in lieu of flowers to the Council Grove/ Dunlap United Methodist Church or the Morris County Hospital Foundation.