William Louis Dale, age 93, was born on March 23, 1930 in Protection, Kansas. He was born in the farmhouse where he lived almost all of his married life. He passed away on February 3, 2024 at Comanche County Hospital, surrounded by his wife, Helen Dale and his children.

He was the son of Karl S. Dale and Flora Young Dale of Protection.

He graduated from Protection High School in 1948 and then went on to attend Kansas State University where he graduated in 1955 with an Animal Husbandry degree. He served in the United States Marine Corps from August 1951 to August 1953. His specialty in the Marines was Radio Mechanic II.

Bill, as his family and friends called him, married the love of his life, Helen May Winger, on June 5, 1952. They built a home and raised their family on the Dale family farmstead north of Protection. Bill and Helen had six children and many lessons were taught to all - the importance of hard work, ingenuity, and God and family first values.

His ministry was operating the audio system at the United Methodist Church for forty years. He also served in many other capacities in the church and was quite the handyman when things needed to be fixed.

One of Bill's greatest passions was learning to fly. He obtained his pilot's license in December of 1968. He spent many hours in the air taking his family on Sunday afternoon flights and attending out of town meetings. He served on numerous boards - both local and statewide, and was on many committees too numerous to mention. He also served on Ember Hope (Youthville) where he served as President for two of his nine years. Bill and Helen travelled twice a year to McCurdy Ministries in Espanola, New Mexico, where they worked for fifteen years as Volunteers in Mission (VIM).

He was a member of the Protection Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge (he had his 60 year pin).

He was preceded in death by an infant son, William, his parents, and two sisters, Ruth Woodburn and June Stites.

Survivors include children, Cynthia Lindenmeyer (Doug), Penny Lucas (George), Dan Dale (Laurie), Jill Clark (Kipp), Andrew Dale (Debbie) and Kurt Dale (Andi), thirteen grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Public Visitation with the family present will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, Coldwater, KS.

Funeral service is at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at Protection Methodist Church in Protection, KS, with Rev. Billie Blair and Rev. Dennis Carter presiding.

Burial will follow the funeral service at Protection Cemetery in Protection, KS with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Ember Hope Youthville, McCurdy Ministries, Comanche County Hospital Capital Campaign (Physical Therapy Addition) and the Protection Methodist Church.

MEMORIALS:

Protection Methodist Church

102 N. Washington Avenue

Protection, KS 67127

Ember Hope (Youthville)

P.O. Box 210

Newton, KS 67114

www.emberhope.app.neocrm.com

McCurdy Ministries

362A McCurdy Road

Espanola, NM 87532

www.eromero@mccurdy.org

Comanche County Hospital (Capital Campaign)

202 S. Frisco Avenue

Coldwater, KS 67029

www.comanchecountyhospital.com