Fidel "Bill" Fuentez

Fidel "Bill" Fuentez, 92, of Parsons, passed away on Thursday, March 24, 2022, at his home.

He was born on April 21, 1929, to Aristeo and Transito (Yanez) Fuentez in Parsons.  He grew up and attended schools in Parsons, graduating from Parsons High School.  Following high school, he attended Pittsburg State University.

From 1951 to 1953, Bill served in the United States Army.  Upon returning to Parsons, he began working in the diesel shop at the Katy Railroad.  Bill retired from the Katy Railroad after 40 years, including 10 months when he worked for the railroad in Fort Worth.

A lifelong, faithful Catholic, Bill was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, where he sang in the choir and for 18 years served as a Eucharistic minister for homebound parishioners.  He was a 4 ^th degree member of the Knights of Columbus.  He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Brown-Bishop Post 704.

His greatest joy came from spending time with his family and friends.  He loved telling jokes and dancing.  For 24 years, Bill volunteered at Elm Haven nursing homes as a bingo caller.  He also enjoyed playing golf and bowling.

On September 5, 1959, Bill and Mary Louise Reyes were united in marriage at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parsons.  Mary Louise preceded him in death on April 3, 2019.

Survivors include:

One son – William "Buster" Fuentez and his wife, Teresia, of Parsons, Kansas

Four daughters – Marisa Merchant and her husband, Chuck, of Parsons, Kansas

Elizabeth Shipps and her husband, Jim, of Parsons, Kansas

Marie Collins and her husband, Jeff, of Parsons, Kansas

Gerri Carson and her companion, Corky Robinson, of Parsons, Kansas

Nine grandchildren

Twelve great-grandchildren

Two brothers -Charles Fuentez of California

Alfonso "Ponto" Fuentez of Phoenix, Arizona

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise; two brothers, Tony Fuentez and Felix Fuentez; and two sisters, Galdina Ramirez and Mary Ann Forshey.

The funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 1, 2022, at St. Patrick Catholic School Gymnasium.  Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery with military honors presented by the VFW Brown-Bishop Post 704.  The rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, at St. Patrick Catholic School Gymnasium, with the family receiving friends after the rosary.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Patrick Catholic Church Renovation Fund.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS  67357.