Bill "Billy" Black
1951 - 2019
Obituary
Bill L. "Billy" Black, 67,
died from medical complications Friday (Feb. 22, 2019) at Wesley
Medical Center in Wichita. He was born June 21, 1951, in Abilene, to
Benny and Pauline (Barta) Black. On Oct. 29, 1971, he married Wenda
Nickel at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church in Goessel; she survives of
the home.
Bill worked for 37 years for Sellers
Tractor in Wichita as a Field Service Heavy Equipment Mechanic.
Following his time with Sellers, he worked for the City of Newton
Street Department for three years. Bill and Wenda owned and operated
Black Diamond Ranch in southern Harvey County, where they raised
sheep, cattle and horses. He was proud of his team of Haflinger Draft
Horses and loved to take friends and family on wagon rides with the
horses. In addition to their livestock, he also spent many hours
baling hay for the farm.
He was a countywide leader for the
Harvey County 4-H bucket calf project and looked forward to mentoring
the 4-H youth of Harvey County. He greatly enjoyed spending time with
his loving family and many friends. He especially enjoyed time spent
with his grandkids, who knew to always expect Papa to lovingly tease
them.
He is survived by his wife, Wenda of
the home; sons, Justin (Angela) Black of Newton, Chad Black of Alva,
Oklahoma, and Travis Black of Cimarron; daughter, Patricia (Flint)
Harrelson of Mount Sterling, Kentucky; brother, Bobby (Michelle)
Black; and sisters, Linda (Jim) Smith, Jolene (Mike) Heidrick and
Sharon (Larry) Swisher. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and
was anxiously awaiting the birth of his 11th grandchild.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday (Feb. 27, 2019) at First Mennonite Church in Newton, with
Pastor Anita Kehr presiding. Visitation will be 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday
(Feb. 26, 2019) at Petersen Funeral Home, with the family receiving
friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be 1:30
p.m. Wednesday at the Alexanderwohl Cemetery in Goessel.
Memorials are suggested to the Harvey
County 4-H in care of Petersen Funeral Home.
