In Memory Of
William E. Stillings
William E. Stillings
William Emerson Stillings, 87, Topeka, formerly of Atchison, died November 11, 2010. Bill was born March 28, 1923, at Cummings, Kansas, son of Walter Kelly Stillings and Mary Ann Wright Stillings.
He attended Cummings School and Atchison High School and graduated from Atchison County Community High School in Effingham. He graduated from Strickler's Business College in Topeka and worked for the Kansas Adjutant General and for Santa Fe Railway in Chillicothe, Illinois. He entered the Army at Scott Field and served 3½ years during World War II, last serving as a lst Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, Philippines. He returned to Topeka and resumed his education at Washburn University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree and Juris Doctor degree.
He married a fellow student, Lois Darnell Ridenour of Emporia, on June 28, 1947. During his college years he served as a Captain in various capacities in the 174th MP Battalion. Shortly after he was admitted to the bar in 1950 he was called to active duty to facilitate the mobilization of his unit for the Korean Conflict. The 174th was mobilized a few weeks later and went to Fort Sheridan, Illinois. Bill transferred to the Judge Advocate General's Corps, and his last service was as Law Officer of General Courts Martial at Camp Gordon, Georgia. Upon completion of his military service, he returned to Topeka and was employed as Assistant General Counsel, Kansas Corporation Commission. He resigned that position in 1955 and joined a law firm in Atchison, where he practiced law for 32 years. During this time he also served as Atchison County Attorney, Atchison City Attorney and a member of the Atchison School Board. He also served as a Board Member and Trustee of the Atchison Hospital, Board Member and Trustee of the Atchison United Methodist Church, Board Member and Trustee of the Atchison YMCA and Director and Officer of the Exchange National Bank. He retired in 1987 and spent the first 1½ years of his retirement as Chairman of the Santa Fe Depot Restoration Committee. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars in Atchison.
He enjoyed spending time with his family, reading and traveling. Bill and Darnell traveled in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and all 50 states. They made numerous trips to Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Surviving are his wife, Darnell, and four sons, Douglas and wife Joyce, Mark and wife Lynn, David and wife Cindy, and Brad, all of Topeka. He also is survived by seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, five sisters and four brothers.
Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements. As was Bill's wish, a private graveside service for immediate family will be held at the Cummings Cemetery in Cummings, KS. The family requests no flowers. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association Memorial and Tribute Processing Center, P. O. Box 1653, Topeka, KS 66601.
He attended Cummings School and Atchison High School and graduated from Atchison County Community High School in Effingham. He graduated from Strickler's Business College in Topeka and worked for the Kansas Adjutant General and for Santa Fe Railway in Chillicothe, Illinois. He entered the Army at Scott Field and served 3½ years during World War II, last serving as a lst Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, Philippines. He returned to Topeka and resumed his education at Washburn University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree and Juris Doctor degree.
He married a fellow student, Lois Darnell Ridenour of Emporia, on June 28, 1947. During his college years he served as a Captain in various capacities in the 174th MP Battalion. Shortly after he was admitted to the bar in 1950 he was called to active duty to facilitate the mobilization of his unit for the Korean Conflict. The 174th was mobilized a few weeks later and went to Fort Sheridan, Illinois. Bill transferred to the Judge Advocate General's Corps, and his last service was as Law Officer of General Courts Martial at Camp Gordon, Georgia. Upon completion of his military service, he returned to Topeka and was employed as Assistant General Counsel, Kansas Corporation Commission. He resigned that position in 1955 and joined a law firm in Atchison, where he practiced law for 32 years. During this time he also served as Atchison County Attorney, Atchison City Attorney and a member of the Atchison School Board. He also served as a Board Member and Trustee of the Atchison Hospital, Board Member and Trustee of the Atchison United Methodist Church, Board Member and Trustee of the Atchison YMCA and Director and Officer of the Exchange National Bank. He retired in 1987 and spent the first 1½ years of his retirement as Chairman of the Santa Fe Depot Restoration Committee. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars in Atchison.
He enjoyed spending time with his family, reading and traveling. Bill and Darnell traveled in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and all 50 states. They made numerous trips to Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Surviving are his wife, Darnell, and four sons, Douglas and wife Joyce, Mark and wife Lynn, David and wife Cindy, and Brad, all of Topeka. He also is survived by seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, five sisters and four brothers.
Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements. As was Bill's wish, a private graveside service for immediate family will be held at the Cummings Cemetery in Cummings, KS. The family requests no flowers. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association Memorial and Tribute Processing Center, P. O. Box 1653, Topeka, KS 66601.
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