William Roger “Bill” Rettele, 90, of rural Baileyville, Kansas, passed away at his home north of Baileyville on October 17, 2026.
Bill was born on January 29, 1936, north of Baileyville, the son of Peter A. and Teresa Mitchell Rettele. He grew up on the family farm and attended elementary school in Baileyville. After completing grade school, Bill remained at home to help his father with the farm, beginning a lifelong connection to the land he loved so much.
On June 8, 1963, Bill married Theresa Ruth McLachlan at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Salisbury, Missouri. Together, they shared 47 years of marriage before Theresa’s death on February 6, 2011. Their life together included many adventures, travels, and memories that Bill would continue to share with others for years to come.
Bill began working at the Mid America Dairyman around 1970, where he worked in the laboratory as a lab tech. He remained there until the creamery closed, giving him a reason to retire. He also drove a school bus for the Baileyville schools for several years. Throughout his working years and retirement, Bill stayed busy and maintained a wide variety of interests that made his life anything but ordinary.
Bill was deeply involved in the Knights of Columbus, an organization to which he devoted many years of service and leadership. He served as Grand Knight and District Deputy from July 1974 to July 1976 and was a Faithful Navigator of the Ponce de Leon Assembly #0238. He helped with the bingo crew, assisted with degree work, and attended numerous state conventions as a delegate. His commitment to the Knights reflected his faith, his willingness to serve, and the friendships he built along the way.
A man of many interests and remarkable experiences, Bill enjoyed collecting autographs from famous country music singers of the 1950s and 1960s. Through a special connection with the stage manager at the Municipal Auditorium in Topeka, he was invited backstage to meet some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Johnny Cash and June Carter, Roy Clark, Marty Robbins, Elvis Presley, and others. He was especially proud to have met Mickey Mantle. These experiences became treasured stories, and Bill delighted in sharing the details of the people he had met and the places he had been.
Bill's adventurous spirit took him well beyond the Baileyville countryside. In 1981, he was invited to participate in the New York City Marathon, an experience he loved to recount. In 1988, he and Theresa spent three weeks backpacking across Europe. One of the highlights of their travels was attending Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City with Pope John Paul II. They also traveled to Ireland to explore Bill’s Irish roots, connecting him with a piece of his family heritage.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Bill also participated in the 22nd annual Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska, known as BRAN. He rode an impressive 520 miles over seven days, another accomplishment that reflected his determination and love of adventure. At home, Bill enjoyed tinkering with his old Model T truck, dancing at his wife’s dance studio, and spending time on the family farm. He especially loved overlooking the beautiful bottomland, appreciating the productive fields, abundant wildlife, and the familiar landscape that had been such an important part of his life. The farm was more than a place to live and work; it was a place filled with history, memories, and a deep sense of belonging.
Bill was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville, Knights of Columbus Council 1769, and Ponce de Leon Assembly #0283, all in Seneca.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Theresa; his parents, Peter and Teresa; and his siblings, Joe, Don, and Marjorie.
He is survived by his nieces and nephews.
A rosary will be prayed on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., prior to the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorials in Bill’s memory may be made to the Knights of Columbus and sent in care of the family. To express your sympathy and for more information, visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com.
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