1936-2024
William Dean “Bill” Fairchild, 88, passed away November 21, 2024 at his home.
He was born May 3, 1936 in Larned; the son of William Frederick and Bertha Dugger Fairchild. A lifetime Pawnee County resident; he was a retired School Transportation Director for USD 495. Bill worked for the school district for 51 years in various capacities.
He was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Great Bend, where he served as an Elder. He was a charter member of Kansas State Pupil Transportation Association. He was a member of the Fort Larned Lions Club and served as District Governor from 2009 – 2010 for Kansas Lions. He was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship and was Editor of the Fort Larned Lions Club newsletter. He ran the concession stand at Carr Auction for Fort Larned Lions Club for many years. He was an avid NASCAR fan, enjoyed playing Spider Solitaire on the computer, was a farmer, raised pigs and was a mechanic.
On August 14, 1954 he married Caroline Clawson at Larned; she passed away September 8, 1992. On June 29, 1996 he married Janis Starr at Larned; she survives.
Other survivors include; two sons, William Richard (Karen) Fairchild, Larned and Brian Dean (Milica) Fairchild, Belgrade, Serbia; three daughters; Debra (Richard) Batchman, Marionville, MO, Kathy (Cecil) Sharp, Vassar, and Rhonda (Jerry) Glenn, Larned; two step-children, Melanie (Clay) Bolinger, Shawnee and Jonathan Trackwell, Topeka; three sisters, Carol May Beaudion, Kallispell, MT, Lola Irene (William) Cavalier, Fayetteville, NC and Brenda Sue Barker, Marquette; seventeen grandchildren, thirty eight great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by; his parents, his first wife Caroline, and three sisters, Betty Jean Fairchild, Norma Lee Fairchild and Alice Joan Strobel.
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at First Christian Church, (DOC), Great Bend with Reverend Rhonda Glenn presiding. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned with family present from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Cremation will follow church services and inurnment will be at a later date.
Memorials may be given to Leader Dog, First Christian Church (DOC) Great Bend or Ft Larned Foundation for Education, all in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.
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