1936-2026
William “Bill” Lee Avery, 89, of Hutchinson, passed away peacefully at his home on August 25, 2026. He was born October 6, 1936, to Ethel Cupples and was adopted by his grandparents, Bertha and Emitt Lee Avery.
In 1955, Bill married the love of his life, Deloris “Dody” Marie Crank. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised three children: Marla Jo Long (Randy), Randall Lee Avery (Jana), and Jennifer Jo Kimpler (Gary). They also welcomed their niece, Amy Marie Chastain (Craig), into their family and claimed her as their own. Bill and Dody were blessed with seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and two great-great granddaughters, who brought them immeasurable joy.
Bill said an earthly goodbye to Dody when she passed from this life to the next on September 22, 2021. For nearly five years, Bill eagerly awaited the day he would be reunited with his beloved wife in the presence of their Savior, Jesus. His family finds great comfort as they imagine that long-awaited reunion and the joy of seeing them together again.
Bill was an eternal optimist with a generous heart. He had a deep compassion for people and an extraordinary capacity for empathy. He also had a special soft spot for anything with fur or feathers. Bill seemed to have a permanent smile on his face and found himself in a fit of laughter more often than not. He possessed a remarkable ability to recognize beauty and find joy in the smallest details of God’s creation.
He enjoyed the simple pleasures of life—a good bowl of popcorn, a hot dog roasted over an open fire, time spent with family, and the many little moments that made life worth savoring. Bill had a way of making ordinary things feel special simply because he was there to enjoy them.
Bill proudly served in the U.S. Army with the 7th Infantry Division in Korea from 1954 to 1957. After returning to Kansas, he found joy in recreational skydiving and coon hunting. From 1957 to 2017, Bill worked hard in a variety of careers at several Hutchinson businesses, including the Reno County Fire Department, Hutchinson Paper Mill, Winchester Packing Company, Collins Industries Ambulance Division, and, most recently, Reno County Area Transport (RCAT).
For the vast majority of their life together, Bill and Dody were active members of Westside Baptist Church. Bill often reminisced about the joy he found serving in the church’s bus ministry. He also treasured the friendships and sense of community he and Dody shared through their Sunday School class and their many years at Westside.
Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dody; his parents; and his siblings, Robert Avery, Viola Stamper, Cora Strayer, and Thelma Karriker.
There are no services planned at this time. Instead, Bill’s family will gather to celebrate his incredible life in a way that feels especially fitting for him—with one another, with plenty of stories and laughter, and over a good hot dog with a bowl of popcorn on the side.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Westside Baptist Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.
Funeral Home in Charge
