Wm C Hogue

It is with profound respect and heartfelt remembrance that we celebrate the remarkable life of Wm C “Bill” Hogue, 94, of Topeka, who passed away March 7, 2025 at the ranch surrounded by his loved ones. A treasured member of the community, and an extraordinary figure in the world of agriculture and beyond. Bill's legacy is etched in the rich soil of Shawnee and Wabaunsee County, where he dedicated his life to the advancement of the beef and housing industry, exemplifying the values of hard work, commitment, and passion.

A humble man of few words, born February 5, 1931 to Howard and Hazel (Grimm) Hogue in Eskridge, Kansas and raised by his grandparents, Harry and Eva Hogue on their farmstead. Bill attended Eskridge High School and participated in football playing quarterback and fullback, basketball, baseball and the Junior Play. He graduated in 1949, and went on to officiate with longtime friend, Dean Ferrell, for years following, as well as to serve on the School Board.

Bill began 26 years of married life to Charlene Taylor, raising two sons Robert and Daniel. He married Cindy McCall and shared in raising Darren for 14 years. Bill met Kathy Brewer in 1974 at Town & Country Realtors. After marrying in 1989, they traveled a true journey of love.

Bill spent his lifetime building quality constructed affordable family homes to fulfill the American dream. From the years 1950-2015 he constructed nearly 4,000 new residential homes in Northeast Kansas. In 1957, Bill laid the foundation for what would become Mission Valley Ranch where he’d later host Annual Bull Sales. His contributions to the agricultural community were extensive; he played a pivotal role in establishing the modern 4-H Livestock Sale, devoted a decade as a Shawnee County 4-H Adult and Club Leader, and served as Superintendent of Beef for the Shawnee County 4-H County Fair. He was an active member of the American Angus Association receiving the Historic Angus Herd Award in 2010 for 50 years of raising registered Angus cattle. His leadership was further evident through his service on the Board of Directors for the Kansas Livestock Association where he holds membership since 1960. Bill’s unwavering dedication to the industry set high standards for beef production.

Beyond his impact as a Cattleman, Bill was a steadfast pillar of his community as a board member for the Shawnee County Rural Water District #1 for six years. His adventurous spirit led him to earn a private pilot’s license, allowing him to support Topeka’s Billard Airport. For eighteen years, he played an integral role in the Topeka Chamber of Commerce, and his leadership extended to positions as a lifetime member and President of the Topeka Home Builders Association and Director of the National Home Builder’s Association.

Bills contributions did not go unrecognized; he received the prestigious THBA Murrow Award for the homebuilding industry, the Grassland Awards from both the Wabaunsee and Shawnee County Conservation Districts, as well as the Grassland Merit Award from the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts.

One of his life goals was to leave “no cedar tree in site”! That task was accomplished with 18 years of steadfast help from ranch family friend Chuck Heigert.

Bill worked tirelessly to safeguard Heritage. His commitment to preservation was evident as a supporting member of the Wabaunsee County Historical Society, The Volland Store Foundation, Mt Mitchell Heritage Prairie, and Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas. He and Kath welcomed countless members of the community to their restored historical 1864 Flint Hills Stonebridge homestead and to the preserved 1898 Mission Manor stone structures at the Flint Hills Division of the ranch. Even in his later years, at the vibrant age of 85, Bill championed the cause of history by rallying efforts to save a beloved small-town lumber yard in Eskridge, Kansas from closure, becoming co-owner of Eskridge Lumber.

He volunteered for the annual Flint Hills Symphony hosting the patrons tent one year and representing a panel of ranchers another. As a season ticket holder, for 35 years he was a loyal Chiefs fan. He and Kath traveled year after year to Branson, always happy to return to their own peaceful prairie. Most of his traveling was enjoyed by searching through favorite maps in his recliner. Bill was an avid reader of Louis L’Amour westerns and romance novels.

His faith was his own. In past years, he was a 20-year member of Dover Federated Church. Before his health declined, he could be found every Sunday attending “services” in the local Daniels barn with farmer/rancher friends. He lived an honorable life serving others, his livestock and decades of calloused hands building homes and maintaining his prairies and fields.

The family will continue Bill’s proud legacy at Mission Valley Ranch. Granddaughter Sara, moved into the homestead house last year to take over as operations manager.

Builder by Trade, Cattleman by Heart, he has left an indelible mark on the lives of all who knew him. “May the work I have done speak for me.”

Bill is survived by his devoted wife of more than 35 years, Kathleen (Kath) Hogue, his children, Dan (Victoria) Hogue, Darren (Nickie) Hogue, Julie (Randy) Scheid, and Jeffrey Brewer. 13 grandchildren, Sara, Stephanie, Christopher (Jennifer), Elena (Loney Ma), Sergey, Hannah (Angie), Sydney (Andy), Luke (Jessica), John (Jenna), Gary, Ben (Chelsey), Jeni, and Jeffrey, as well as 14 great grandchildren Tracer (Kaylee), Therron, Talon, Andreas, Nikolas, Emmanuella,Taylor, Alexander, Sydney, Noah, Kylie, Alivia, Leehn, Ronan, Isla, Axel, Luna and great-great grandchildren, Linkin and Amelia, and many thoughtful cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harry and Eva Hogue,parents Howard and Hazel Hogue, sister Donna Bobbitt, brother Richard Hogue, wives, Charlene Hogue (Taylor) and Cindy Hogue (McCall), and his son, Robert R.Hogue.

On Friday, March 21, 2025 Bill will lie in state from 11:00AM-7:00PM at Penwell-Gabel Midtown Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Avenue Topeka, KS 66604, with visitation from 5:00-7:00PM. Funeral services will take place Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 11:30AM at Penwell-Gabel Midtown Chapel followed by interment at Memorial Park Cemetery. Western/casual dress is welcomed.

In lieu of flowers, Bill would be pleased for contributions be made to the Wabaunsee County Historical Society, the Topeka Homebuilder’s Association Childhood Fund, Kansas Livestock Association or either Shawnee/ Wabaunsee County Conservation Districts. He would be even happier knowing dedicated efforts, in tribute to him, continue toward proud stewardship of the land we all love.

The funeral service will be live streamed and will begin 10 minutes before service time. To view the service, please visit: Wm C Hogue Live Stream Funeral Service