Bill Haynes

Bill E. Haynes, 81, of Olathe, KS died of cancer on May 22, 2009 at home. He was born in Henry County, IN on May 20, 1928, to Harold and Helen (Apple) Haynes, who named him Billy Eugene Haynes. He grew up with three younger brothers, Paul, Bob and Jerry. Bill and his brother Paul were cheerleaders for the Spiceland, IN, high school Stinger Basketball Team. Bill graduated early from Spiceland high school. In 1945, he enlisted in the Navy V5 program, which was cancelled several months later, and he was discharged.

He graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN in 1952, with his B.S. degree. He was employed by General Motors in 1952, in IN. He was transferred to Olathe, KS when Delco Battery was built in 1956. He attended night law school at UMKC for 4 ½ years, graduating with his J.D. Degree in 1965. Bill left Delco Battery after 10 years in June 1965, and was in private law practice until 1968. He was an Assistant Johnson County Attorney for about 2 years, in 1971; he became a Kansas District Judge in Johnson County, retiring in August 1993.

Bill was a Mason in Indiana for 60 years, a 32nd Degree Mason , a member of the Scottish Rite, Johnson County Bar Association, American Legion, Henry County, IN, Historical Society, Spiceland Preservation and Tourism Society, a former member of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and a past member of the Abdallah Shrine.

Bill married his wife of 62 years, Betty Lou Reece on December 1, 1946 at her parent's home in Spiceland, IN.

His is survived by his wife Betty; 3 sons Mark (Gwen) of Denver, CO, Eric (Jeannie) and Scott (Terri) of Olathe, KS; 8 grandchildren, Alexis, Bobby, Sarah and Andy Haynes of Denver, CO, Kala (Cory)Niccum of Olathe, KS, Nathan Haynes of Raytown, MO, Michael and Garrett Haynes of Olathe; 1 great grandson, Drake Niccum, 1 month old of Olathe, KS; 5 sisters-in-law, Patti Haynes, Chris Haynes, Juanita Reece, Lesley Reece and Mary Brown, all of IN; cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, 2 sisters-in-law, Ramona Haynes and Donna Haynes, 3 brothers-in-law, Paul Reece, Jr. Max Reece and Johnnie Brown.

Also preceding him in death were his furry canine friends, Missy, Bengy, Judi and Pebbles. Visitation for Bill will be at 11:30 AM Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 14275 Blackbob Rd. Olathe, KS, followed by a Memorial Service at 1PM.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Hospice of Olathe Medical Center, 20333 West 151st. St. TDB 2, Suite 301, Olathe, KS 66061, or the Spiceland Preservation and Tourism Society (S.P.A.T.S. for short), P.O. Box 453, Spiceland, IN 47385

The Haynes family wishes to thank Dr. John Freehan, Lesley, all his other staff, Olathe, Medical Center Hospice, especially Sandy Clarence, Kitty Mikhaelle and Darcy for their kindness and caring.