Obituary of William L. Kistler

Coffeyville - William L. "Bill" Kistler passed away in Coffeyville, KS on Sunday, July 17, 2011 at the age of 91. He was born in Shady Bend, KS on April 15, 1920, the son of Claude and Nellie Kistler. Bill spent the first five years of his life living in Shady Bend before his family moved to Lincoln, KS where he attended school, graduating from Lincoln High School. Upon graduation from high school in 1939, he moved to Coffeyville and went to work for his uncle Fred Kistler at the Fred Kistler Oil Co. Bill was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army from January 1942 until October 1945 with the 159th Infantry in Northern France and the Aleutian Islands. On August 21, 1941, he was united in marriage to Katherine M. McGrath at Holy Name Catholic Church. When his uncle passed away in 1949, he became President of Kistler Oil Co. where he remained until his retirement in 1988. Bill was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a longtime member of Holy Name Catholic Church and Joyce Kilmer 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Council # 0281. During his leisure time he enjoyed visiting with family and friends, as well as following any and all sporting activities. During his lifetime he was a member and Past President of the following organizations: Junior Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Montgomery County Fair Assoc., Kansas Oil Men's Assoc., and Coffeyville Country Club. He also served as Chairman of the Wichita Diocese Catholic Board of Education, Chairman of the Holy Name Parish Council, Director of Condon National Bank, and Director of Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Katherine M. Kistler, of Coffeyville; his son, William D. Kistler and wife Nancy of Houston, TX; two grandchildren, John David Kistler and wife Sareca of Houston, TX, and Deborah Kistler DePrato and husband Darrell of Austin, TX; and two great-grandchildren, Chris and Robin DePrato of Houston, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son, Bobby Kistler, who died at birth, one brother and two sisters. A Rosary Vigil Service followed by Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville, with Father Ben Nguyen officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Holy Name Catholic Church. Contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 N. Cline Rd., Coffeyville, KS 67337. The family would like to thank Dr. Balson, as well as the wonderful staff at Windsor Place, for the love, kindness, care and support they provided.