William Elwood "Bill" Stutesman was born October 3, 1939, in Hartford, KS to Clyde Elwood and Beulah Elizabeth Germann Stutesman. Bill was the oldest of three boys. Growing up Bill went by Elwood, that changed his sophomore year when he transferred to Lebo. One of his teachers called him Bill and it stuck.

Bill graduated from Lebo High in 1957. He and Ronna Lee Kness were married July 8, 1960 in the First Presbyterian Church in Osage City. To this union 4 children were born.  Bill was a jack of all trades working as a farm hand, truck driver and mechanic as well as other jobs. Bill and Ronna owned second hand stores in Osage and Burlington.

When Ronna developed Alzheimers and had to be put in a nursing home in 2018, he faithfully visited and fed her most days, only missing days when he had covid, surgery, including having lung cancer in 2019 until recently when he became sick and too weak to get out of the house. In August of this year, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was hospitalized for 2 weeks suffering from complications from the cancer. He returned to Burlington August 24 and joined Ronna in the nursing home. This was first time in over 4 years they had slept under the same roof.

Bill was active in the Burlington Senior Center and East Central Area Agency on Aging for more that 15 years, serving as president on both boards. His lifelong love of music led him to organizing the 2 ^nd Thursday night potlucks which included showcasing regional live entertainers for all to listen and dance to.

Bill was instrumental in starting the FFA chapter at Lebo High School while attending,

Bill is survived by his wife of 62 years Ronna, two daughters, LaDonna Stutesman of Emporia, and Shelly (Ron) Dean of Red Boiling Springs, TN, two sons, Bill Jr (Christine) of Olathe, and Charlie Stutesman of Manhattan, nine grandchildren, Kristopher Stutesman, Courtney Stutesman of Emporia, Jesse Stutesman (Vickie Hess) of Burlington, Evan Stutesman of Shawnee, Micayla Stutesman and Stephanie Stutesman of Olathe, Emery (Corrina) Stutesman of Marietta, GA, Aaron Dean of Nashville, TN, and Edward Dean of Powell, TN,  seven great grandchildren Ryan and Alex Stutesman, Devon and Colin Stutesman, Ariana Estrada, Emily and Zachary Stutesman and one great, great granddaughter Ebony Stiers. Two brothers Frank (Sandy) Stutesman of Burlington, and Gene (Cheryl) Stutesman of Madison, numerous other relatives and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law Glenn Stutesman.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, September 10, 2022, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington, KS.

The family will meet with friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, September 9, at Jones Funeral Home.

Memorial Contribution may be made to the Burlington Senior Center or Coffey County Cancer Support Group and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.