In Memory Of
Ralph W. Pollock
1945
2022
Ralph W. Pollock
June 10, 1945 — February 14, 2022
Ralph W. "Bill" Pollock, 76, of Topeka, passed away Monday, February 14, 2022 at the University of Kansas St. Francis Campus.
He was born June 10, 1945, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Ralph and Maxine (Cahill) Pollock. He graduated from Topeka West High School in 1963.
Bill started his career as a hairdresser in 1964 at Hair Benders Salon. Bill retired from Studio 1 Hair Design in 2021.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 400, the Topeka Rodeo Committee, and the American Cancer Society. He attended Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Bill was a cowboy at heart and had a large collection of cowboy hats and cowboy boots. He was an avid bull riding fan; he attended local Topeka Rodeo events, the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas and traveled every year to the PBR World Finals. He also enjoyed golfing at various courses; watching the Chiefs; listening to music and dancing at the Vinewood, VFW, and Post 400; traveling and taking cruises; and eating gourmet meals at different restaurants. Bill enjoyed bowling and was inducted into the Topeka USBC Bowling Association Hall of Fame May, 2014. He had a special bond with his dog, Winston.
Bill married Velma M. Nelson on June 12, 1965, at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Topeka. She preceded Bill in death on July 4, 2012. Other survivors include his girlfriend Marta Miles, Topeka; sister-in-law, Charlotte E. (Samuel) Provo-Blenden, Topeka; nieces, Tina R. (William) Gannaway, Topeka and Kathy (Clyde) Smith, Center Point, Alabama; nephew, Marty L. Provo, Chandler, AZ; niece-in-law, Krista Provo, Carlsbad CA; two great-nieces, Maria Provo and Anne Provo; six great-nephews, Curtis Gannaway, Connor (Ashley) Gannaway, Foster Provo, Archer Provo, Cameron Provo and Alec Provo; and Godchildren, Kelly Patton, Chad Irwin and Dea Polzin. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Edward J. Pollock; and two nephews, Eddie Pollock and Mark Provo.
The family will greet friends on Sunday, February 20, 2022 from 2:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66604. A funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 21, 2022 at the Penwell Gabel Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Topeka Rodeo Committee and sent in care of Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66604.
To leave a message for the family online, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born June 10, 1945, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Ralph and Maxine (Cahill) Pollock. He graduated from Topeka West High School in 1963.
Bill started his career as a hairdresser in 1964 at Hair Benders Salon. Bill retired from Studio 1 Hair Design in 2021.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 400, the Topeka Rodeo Committee, and the American Cancer Society. He attended Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Bill was a cowboy at heart and had a large collection of cowboy hats and cowboy boots. He was an avid bull riding fan; he attended local Topeka Rodeo events, the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas and traveled every year to the PBR World Finals. He also enjoyed golfing at various courses; watching the Chiefs; listening to music and dancing at the Vinewood, VFW, and Post 400; traveling and taking cruises; and eating gourmet meals at different restaurants. Bill enjoyed bowling and was inducted into the Topeka USBC Bowling Association Hall of Fame May, 2014. He had a special bond with his dog, Winston.
Bill married Velma M. Nelson on June 12, 1965, at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Topeka. She preceded Bill in death on July 4, 2012. Other survivors include his girlfriend Marta Miles, Topeka; sister-in-law, Charlotte E. (Samuel) Provo-Blenden, Topeka; nieces, Tina R. (William) Gannaway, Topeka and Kathy (Clyde) Smith, Center Point, Alabama; nephew, Marty L. Provo, Chandler, AZ; niece-in-law, Krista Provo, Carlsbad CA; two great-nieces, Maria Provo and Anne Provo; six great-nephews, Curtis Gannaway, Connor (Ashley) Gannaway, Foster Provo, Archer Provo, Cameron Provo and Alec Provo; and Godchildren, Kelly Patton, Chad Irwin and Dea Polzin. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Edward J. Pollock; and two nephews, Eddie Pollock and Mark Provo.
The family will greet friends on Sunday, February 20, 2022 from 2:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66604. A funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 21, 2022 at the Penwell Gabel Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Topeka Rodeo Committee and sent in care of Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66604.
To leave a message for the family online, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ralph W. Pollock, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Sunday, February 20, 2022
2:00 - 4:00 pm (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Service
Monday, February 21, 2022
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Guestbook
Visits: 4
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