William Roy Gilstrap

William “Bill” Gilstrap, 85, Lenexa, left this earth for his heavenly reward on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at Villa St. Francis in Olathe, Kansas. Bill was born on March 1, 1932, in Hoisington, Kansas, the third of four children, and the only son of William and Minnie Velten Gilstrap. He graduated from Hoisington High School in 1949. Bill always told many stories of what a great childhood he had, playing with friends, riding bikes to the local swimming lake and working at the local pharmacy. Bill was 17 years old when he graduated from high school and followed in the steps of his brother-in-law Johnny Tilton by enlisting in the United States Air Force. He spent most of his service years in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Later, Bill would take advantage of the GI Bill and attended the University of Kansas, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business in 1957. He worked his entire career at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Topeka, where he met his future wife, Esther Clark. They were married in August of 1958. Bill retired as a purchasing agent from Goodyear in 1995, and he and Esther were able to indulge their lifelong love of travel all across the United States. In 2009, with Esther in the late stages of dementia, they moved to the Kansas City area – Esther moving to Villa St. Francis and Bill living with his daughter, Julie. Esther died in November of 2010. Bill continued living with his daughter, relishing time spent on the back deck, time with his family, and enjoying his snuggly dog friend Lilly, who loved to sit on his lap. Bill is survived by his children, Julie Reid, Greg Gilstrap (Mary), and Kelley Kimery (Chris); grandchildren, Erin Albright (Jason), Megan Feighny (Michael), Katy Woods, Andrew Gilstrap (Katie), Amanda Bradner (Stephen), Will Gilstrap, and Griffin Kimery; great-grandchildren, Colton, Alexander, Fitzgerald, Cecily, Emmett, Daniel, Isabella and Louis; sister, Barbara Welch and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, M. Diane Kendall; nephew, Dan Nemlowill; sisters, Wilma Nemlowill and Virginia Tilton. Visitation will be 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 13, 2017, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Memorial service to follow at 11:30 a.m. Inurnment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Wayside Waifs, sent in care of the funeral home.

William Roy Gilstrap

March 1, 1932 - April 25, 2017