Willis John (Bill) Voth

Willis John (Bill) Voth died peacefully on Dec. 27, 2021 at his home in rural Walton Kansas. He was born September 20, 1928 to Katharine and John Voth in Goessel, Kansas, the youngest of five children. Bill attended Wareham District School, Walton High School, Newton High School and Bethel College. On June 2, 1951 Bill was married to Nada E. Voth and they celebrated their 70^th wedding anniversary this past year.

Agriculture was Bill’s chosen profession and he farmed with his father and brother Arnold as he was starting his career; upon marriage he and Nada started a modern Grade “A” dairy. This continued and grew until his son Myron and daughter-in-law Phyllis were generously integrated into the business. Bill retired at the age of 80 but retained an active interest in the farm.

Bill was active in Tabor Mennonite Church where he was a lifelong member, serving in leadership roles and singing in the choir for 50 years. He also served on the Walton School Board when a new building was built and through the time of consolidation with the Newton School District. Bill was part of numerous farm organizations including the MCC Farm Crisis Committee in the 1980’s.

Bill’s personal interests and joys were listening to classical music and singing, which he did all through school and in the Newton Civic Choir, travelling- both in the US and internationally and on bird-watching trips with Nada; and sports, including playing basketball and football as a young man. He was enthusiastic in encouraging and supporting children and grand-children in both music and sports.  Bill was an advocate of education, encouraging his children to achieve all they could and contributing to Bethel College.

Bill was a thoughtful and supportive husband and father who is survived by wife Nada, daughter Lenore Hiebert (Thomas), sons Warren (Helen Kjolby) and Myron (Phyllis Regier), grand-children Andrea Voth (Peter Sprunger), Emily Newhouse (Jeremy), Sarah Hiebert, Benjamin Hiebert, Daniel Hiebert, Camille Voth, and Nathaniel Voth; and great-grand-children Gracie Newhouse, Lillian Newhouse, Clara Voth and Ellen Sprunger.

Memorial gifts may be given to Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra or Mennonite Central Committee.

A memorial service will be held at Tabor Mennonite Church on Tuesday, January 4 at 2:00 PM. Masks will be required. Family and friends may stay for visiting in the Hospitality Hall following the funeral.