James William “Bill” McCulley, 95, passed away June 9, 2024, at River Bend Assisted Living, Great Bend, Kan. He was born on Oct. 28, 1928, in Okfuskee County, Okla., to Fred and Olive (Beets) McCulley. On June 18, 1950, he married Phyllis June Young in Ness City, Kan. She passed on June 30, 2018.

A resident of Great Bend since 1960, Bill worked as a superintendent for Mullergren Power Plant, the electric power company for Great Bend. He was a member of Central Baptist Church and attended Grace Community Church. Bill was a jack of all trades and mastered them all. He was an adventurous man, enjoying cars, boats, skiing – both water and snow, motorcycles, and airplanes, having earned his private pilots’ license and flying a plane as recently as his 90th birthday. Bill also enjoyed camping and golfing. He was a loving, kind, gentle and wise man who loved his family immensely. 

Survivors include sons, Kelly McCulley of Hudson, and Karl McCulley and wife Brenda of Great Bend; daughters, Kathy Tacha and Max Mizer of Jennings, and Karen Stewart and husband Clay of Great Bend; six grandchildren, Korey McCulley, Kiefer McCulley, Kayla May and husband Jesse, Miranda Shoemaker and husband Brad, Keegan McCulley and wife Jennifer, Grace McCulley; one great-grandchild, Alara McCulley; brother, Darrell McCulley and wife Vivian of Grafton, Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Joyce Kraft of Lakewood, Colo.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis; his parents; brother, Dean McCulley; and sister, Louise Turk.

Visitation will take place noon to 8 p.m. Friday, June 14, 2024, with family receiving guests from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Bryant Funeral Home with Pastor Jay Beuoy presiding. Interment will follow at 3 p.m. in Ness City Cemetery, Ness City, Kan. Memorials have been designated to the Alzheimer’s Association, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home 

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS 67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 13, 2024