Individual Details

Death

William R. (Billy Bob) Buckner passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2008. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. on Friday, May 16, at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at the chapel. Interment Johnson County Memorial Gardens. He was preceded in death by his parents, Everet and Margaret Buckner; his brother Eldon; his first wife, Cecil; his son Michael and his second wife, Helen. Survivors include his present wife, Betty; daughter Diana and husband Leonard Gragson; daughter Barbara and husband David Diehn; grandchildren Jeff Gragson, Greg Bush, Michelle Diehn, Jonathon and Cody Buckner. He is also survived by stepson Michael Benson and his daughter Kathleen; step grandchildren Jessica and Ryan Anderson; stepdaughter Diane and husband Bill Murray and their children Bill and Mellisa; stepdaughter Laura and husband Mike Smith, and stepson Mark and Kim Hicks. His cousin John Crichton and his wife Lou of Sherman, Texas, also survive him. Bill was born October 24, 1928, in Wichita, Kan. He attended school in Topeka, Wichita and Manhattan. He graduated from Central High School in St. Joseph, Mo. He worked for Southwestern Bell for 38 years in Wichita, Kan., St. Joseph, Mo., Olathe, Kansas City, Salina, Topeka and Mission, Kan. He was with AT&T for four years, retiring in 1988 with 42 years of service. He was a member of Masonic Lodge #19 in Olathe, Kan., York Rite, Olathe, Kan., and Abdallah Shrine Temple where he served as president and director of the Oriental Band, Jo County Shrine Club, President of Kansas All Star High School football game, honorary member of Flying Fez and Legion of Honor. He was potentate in 1991 and recorder in 1992. He belonged to ROJ Ct 93 and was director in 1995. He was an honorary member of Ct 54. (He was also a member of ARAB Temple in Topeka.) Bill's proudest accomplishments in the Shrine were having the opportunity to be Potentate of Abdallah Temple, the formation of the Flying Fez, Potes Notes and Parking Lot Addition. He worked hard to put the fun back into the Shrine. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to Ladder of Smiles, care of Abdallah Shrine Oriental Band, Attn.: Jerry Ogden, 5500 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS 66202.