William E. "Bill" Gatton, 76, of Parsons, passed away at 11:35 p.m., Monday, July 18, 2016 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.
He was born August 13, 1939 in Parsons, Kansas to Eugene Monroe Gatton and Maxine Ruth (Eplee) Gatton. Bill grew up and attended school in Labette County and was a 1957 graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont.
Bill farmed before working with Parlett Construction installing bowling alleys. He then worked at Sohigro, later known as Terra Industries, and was most recently employed by Baugher Farms where he worked until retiring.
Bill loved spending time with his grandkids. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and in earlier years playing baseball, basketball, and football. He had also enjoyed refereeing several sports as well.
Bill was married to Peggy Heady on May 8, 1960. They later divorced.
Survivors include:
Two Sons: Rick Gatton and his wife, Debbie – Altamont, KS
Steve Gatton – Parsons, KS
One Daughter: Lori LaForge and her husband, Gary – Parsons, KS
Two Stepsons – Nicholas Ficarella – Parsons, KS
Steven Godfrey and his wife, Janene – Parsons, KS
Eight Grandchildren:
Joe LaForge and wife, Susan; Josh Gatton and wife, Danielle; Jeremy LaForge and companion, Laci Griffin; Tiffany Hinman and husband, Josh; Monica George and husband, Matt; Brealynn Gatton, Gracie Gatton and Gage Gatton
Eleven Great-grandchildren:
Konnor LaForge, Kyleigh Holsinger, Bethany Holsinger
Tate Gatton, Tayleigh Gatton, Jayla Hinman, Dominic Hinman, Byndi Griffin, Layla LaForge, Emma George and Lexie George
Two Brothers: Robert Gatton and his wife, Nola – Altamont, KS
Leon Gatton – Galesburg, KS
One Sister: Phyllis Sheffer and her husband, Terry – Longmont, CO
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Russell Gatton; and a great-granddaughter, Holley Jo George.
Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Monday, July 25, 2016 at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until service time, on Monday, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Labette County Fair Board. These may be left at or mailed to the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William E. "Bill" Gatton, please visit our flower store.
He was born August 13, 1939 in Parsons, Kansas to Eugene Monroe Gatton and Maxine Ruth (Eplee) Gatton. Bill grew up and attended school in Labette County and was a 1957 graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont.
Bill farmed before working with Parlett Construction installing bowling alleys. He then worked at Sohigro, later known as Terra Industries, and was most recently employed by Baugher Farms where he worked until retiring.
Bill loved spending time with his grandkids. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and in earlier years playing baseball, basketball, and football. He had also enjoyed refereeing several sports as well.
Bill was married to Peggy Heady on May 8, 1960. They later divorced.
Survivors include:
Two Sons: Rick Gatton and his wife, Debbie – Altamont, KS
Steve Gatton – Parsons, KS
One Daughter: Lori LaForge and her husband, Gary – Parsons, KS
Two Stepsons – Nicholas Ficarella – Parsons, KS
Steven Godfrey and his wife, Janene – Parsons, KS
Eight Grandchildren:
Joe LaForge and wife, Susan; Josh Gatton and wife, Danielle; Jeremy LaForge and companion, Laci Griffin; Tiffany Hinman and husband, Josh; Monica George and husband, Matt; Brealynn Gatton, Gracie Gatton and Gage Gatton
Eleven Great-grandchildren:
Konnor LaForge, Kyleigh Holsinger, Bethany Holsinger
Tate Gatton, Tayleigh Gatton, Jayla Hinman, Dominic Hinman, Byndi Griffin, Layla LaForge, Emma George and Lexie George
Two Brothers: Robert Gatton and his wife, Nola – Altamont, KS
Leon Gatton – Galesburg, KS
One Sister: Phyllis Sheffer and her husband, Terry – Longmont, CO
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Russell Gatton; and a great-granddaughter, Holley Jo George.
Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Monday, July 25, 2016 at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until service time, on Monday, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Labette County Fair Board. These may be left at or mailed to the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William E. "Bill" Gatton, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Parsons: Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home
Memorial Service
Parsons: Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home
Videos
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors