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William "Bill" Irons
Arensberg-Pruett
Atchison,

William “Bill” Irons passed away at the Atchison Hospital on November 16, 2015 at 2:45 am.

Visitation with the family will be Thursday, November 19, 2015 from 6:00 until 7:00 P.M. in the chapel of Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home with memorial services to begin at 7:00 P.M. Interment will be Friday, November 20th at 10:00 A.M. at Leavenworth National Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Atchison Rotary Foundation or USD #409 Facility Improvement Fund and may be left in care of the funeral home.  Online condolences may be left at www.arensbergpruett.com.   

Bill credited his father, Forest, in teaching him values and skills that guided him throughout his life.  He taught him how to hunt, fish and survive.  His Father taught him “No man is better than you and no job is beneath you.”

In 1937 Bill graduated from Omaha Technical School and went to work for an optical company.  In 1939 Bill married Dorothy Claire Barnes and their first son Forest was born in 1941.  Bill held various jobs throughout the area until the outbreak of World War II.  At that time he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and earned the rank of 1st sergeant.  Bill was a proud Marine the rest of his life. He was part of the “Greatest Generation”.  He served proudly in the South Pacific during the war.

After the war Bill’s daughter Susan was born in 1949 and Bill began using the business knowledge he developed while a Marine.  He became a professional buyer for a hardware company in Omaha, Nebraska.  In 1952 John Mize offered Bill a job with Blish Mize and moved his family to Atchison, KS.  Bill worked as a purchasing agent until his retirement in 1982.  
After retirement, Bill, an expert in the world of antiques, began refurbishing and refinishing furniture.

On September 11, 1976 Bill married the love of his life Mary Ann “Sally” Arensberg-Brungardt and spent the next 39 years building wonderful memories together.

Bill was proud of Atchison and was involved in many civic activities providing his time and talents to many causes.  He was active for over 64 years in the American Legion, over 50 years on the board of the United Way. A member of many years of the Atchison Rotary Club, a life member of the Atchison Masonic Lodge and a life member of the Atchison Chamber of Commerce. He was awarded “The Friend of Education” by USD #409 Atchison and recipient of the distinguished Rotarian Foundation “Citation for meritorious service.”

Bills many talents, skills and can do attitude will truly be missed.

Bill is survived by his wife, Sally Irons of the couple’s home in Atchison, four sons, Forest (Sally) Irons, Casper, WY, Tom (Linda) Brungardt, Milford, KS, Tim (Melanie) Brungardt, Atchison, KS, Terry (Jayne) Brungardt, Kansas City, MO, eight grandchildren, Michele Brown, Sara Brungardt, Krissy Brungardt, Brandi Brungardt, Cassie Callahan, Ryan Andrew Wiltz, Alexa Latta, Andy Sandell and four great grandchildren, Madi Brown, Avery Brown, Chloe Callahan and Aaliyah Latta.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Susan Irons, a brother, Fred Irons and a sister, Pat Morrow.