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Garden City- Willis E. “Bill” Pitts, 92, died on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at St Catherine Hospital in Garden City. He was born on September 4, 1925 at Jetmore the son of Oren Earl & Elizabeth “Lizzie” Julia (Love) Pitts. He married Mary M. Hey on April 24, 1948 at Jetmore.

Bill attended Jetmore schools and then served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was stationed in the European Theater and after his discharge he served in the Army Reserves for 6 years. He worked for the Kansas Department of Transportation for 42 years starting on road construction and retiring as a Mineral Supervisor. After his retirement he worked for Taylor & Associates for 10 years, Klotz Sand Company for 9 years and Gerald Edwards for 2 years. Bill’s real love was being a cowboy and handling his horses and his fishing trips.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Garden City, American Legion, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Finney County Senior Citizens Aging Committee and spent over 20 years as a member of the Beef Empire Days Rodeo Committee.

Bill is survived by his Wife- Mary Pitts, Son- Terry (Sondra Jantz) Pitts of Ford County, Daughter- Peggy Hands of Garden City, 3 Brothers- Vernon (Lola) Pitts of Kansas City, Missouri, Norman (Eleanor) Pitts of Jetmore & Jerald (Donna) Pitts of Jetmore, 5 Grandchildren- Melissa (Scott) VanderHamm of Ingalls, Travis (Jodi) Pitts of Ingalls, Trevor (Jenny) Hands of Garden City, Tyler (Amanda) Hands of Garden City & Tiffany (Craig) Stockebrand of Salina, 9 Great-Grandchildren- Jhett & Logan VanderHamm, Jaxson & Tryan Pitts, Macy, Gentry & Lainey Hands & Tabor & Payton Stockebrand. He was preceded in death by his Parents, 3 Brothers- Jesse Pitts, Warren Pitts & John Pitts, 2 Sisters- Audrey Pitts & Eunice Lampe & Son-In-Law Greg Hands.

Funeral Service will be at 9:30 AM Thursday at the First United Methodist Church with Rev Tod Anthony officiating. Burial will be in Fairmont Cemetery at Jetmore. Military graveside rites by Kansas Army National Guard Honor Guard and American Legion Post # 290 of Jetmore Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Wednesday with family present from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City. Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com


Garnand Funeral Home 412 North 7th Garden City, Ks 67846 620-276-3219