Billy Joe "Bill" Shellenberger

Our dad, Bill Shellenberger, was born September 7, 1930 in rural Bushong, Kansas to Ralph and Lottie (Smith) Shellenberger. Grandma gave him the name Billie Joe at birth and as a young adult, Dad changed his name to the masculine spelling of Billy Joe. In later years, he preferred to be called Ol' Bill and when handwriting became difficult, resorted to using his initials – B.S. Dad was second of four children born to this family and grew up during the '30's when Christmas meant a new pair of overalls. He rode his pony Dandy five miles to grade school in Bushong and also attended Grimsley country school where his father served as a school board member. Dad excelled in school work and band, as a trumpet player in winning duets and quartets. And, despite a short stature, he was a quick and scrappy basketball player, often scoring the team's highest points. Despite his best efforts as a senior, the team had a perfect season; losing every game. He graduated from Bushong High School in 1947, and later loved to tell of teenage shenanigans with buddies and always looked forward to his “alum-min-I” reunions. One of Dad’s good buddies, Lester Edmunds, helped introduce Dad to a pretty young lady living in Topeka with Lester's girlfriend, Betty. Making a pay phone call in the early '50's apparently required the combined resources of three country boys: one who knew the number, one who had the nickel and one who knew how to dial. That phone call and introduction led to an elopement on March 4, 1955 uniting Billy Joe and Marilyn Mae Kramer of Olathe, Kansas. Mom and Dad welcomed babies in each of the following three years: Karen Lynn, Sharon Ann and Rohn Alan. At the time of their marriage, Mom and Dad were living in Topeka where he worked for Hudson Oil Company as a station attendant. Later, he worked for vending companies as a route driver and our family moved to Wichita in 1966 when Dad's position was transferred. This particular job tenure was cut short when Dad was seriously injured in a work-related traffic accident. A long recuperation at home led to introspection, which led to enrollment, and later graduation, from Wichita Technical Institute. Dad received appealing employment offers at two little-known companies: Texas Instruments and Hewlett Packard. Neither Dallas or Loveland presented the quality living environment our parents sought so we moved to Medicine Lodge in 1969 when Dad accepted a job at Dickey Appliance. He highly regarded Ralph and Irene Dickey and continued working for them until their business was sold. A few years later, Mom and Dad bought Rinke's, renamed the store Bill's TV and began selling and repairing home appliances. Dad's reputation as a dependable worker combined with salesmanship lessons learned from Mr. Dickey reached far beyond the Medicine Lodge community. Mom ran the office until her health prevented even part-time work and Sharon took over office manager duties. Dad so loved telling about climbing antennas, crawling under houses, installing televisions and stereos and hauling kitchen appliances. Of course, he didn’t do these things alone or without difficulties, so the retelling involved at least one employee, and always, colorful, descriptive language. Swearing was Dad's natural language with dialects in exaggeration and embellishment. He was just one of those persons who easily slipped at least one swear word into a question, a statement or practically every line of one of his stories. H___, he thought nothing of it and he resisted any restraint in polite company. In addition to owning their own business, Mom and Dad were extremely proud of their work in the Barber County 9-1-1 addressing project in the early 1990's. Mom and her fellow Pilot Club members named the county and township roads and later, Dad and a helper posted the signs. Dad said only one sign was wrong - East instead of West. He boasted no electric, water or telephone lines were struck! Dad was a devoted sports fan, especially baseball. The St. Louis Cardinals has been his favorite team ever since they won the '46 World Series - Dad was a high school senior and listened to the final game on the radio. We kids heard so much about the Cardinals during the Bob Gibson years, all three of us could name the batting lineup and positions. Coaching Rohn's Little League and Babe Ruth baseball teams brought Dad satisfaction and memories he could live again with each color commentary retelling. Mom and Dad sold their business in 1996 and Mom passed away one month later. Dad didn't stop working though and volunteered as a driver for dialysis patients and also as an AARP driver education instructor. He traveled and read, built outdoor Christmas decorations, played golf, helped a couple years with a harvesting crew in western Kansas, and avidly kept up with grandchildren's activities. In 2012, he left his adopted Medicine Lodge community of 43 years and moved to Lyons, and recently McPherson, to be near family. Dad continued to stay in touch with family and friends, to watch his Cardinals and KU Jayhawks, and to tell the stories of his life's experiences to every visitor and caller. He had such an impressive, vivid memory. Even at the age of 93 years and 8 months, Dad was fully aware when told of the declining condition of his kidneys. Though the girls were present each of the days at Hospice House, we hadn’t yet arrived when Rohn texted that Dad had taken his last breath the morning of May 13, 2024. On Saturday, May 25, Dad will be laid to rest beside Mom at Agnes City Cemetery in rural Lyon County. The 11am graveside remembrance will be followed by a luncheon at Hays House in Council Grove. Family and friends are welcome to attend and we hope you share your memories of Ol’ Bill. Surviving Dad are Karen Snyder of McPherson and daughters Jadyn and Julianne, Sharon Emrick of Hutchinson and daughters Christine Smith and Kimberly (Jason) Villanueva, Rohn and wife Traci of Scott City and their children, Matthew Shellenberger and Lindsey (Chris) Koochel. Great-grandchildren are Soren, Eden and Neva Smith, Henry Eggers, Illy Villanueva, and Madelyn, Avery and Elliott Koochel. Dad's sister, Dorothy (Dody) Letellier and her husband, Dick also survive, in addition to many nieces and nephews, and close friends Rick, Mike and R.J. Including our mother, predeceasing Dad are his parents, brother Clair (Pete) and his wife, Anita, brother Arthur (Gene) and his wife, Shirley, and two sons-in-law, Dan Snyder and Jim Emrick. If you wish, memorials are suggested to Hospice and Homecare of Reno County, in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons, KS.

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