In Memory Of
William Zell
1929
2015
William Zell
April 1, 1929 — November 23, 2015
William "Bill" Zell, 86, departed this earthly life on Monday, November 23, 2015. Fire chief, basketball star and patriarch of his sprawling family, he leaves a legacy of love, faith, and humor for all of those whose lives he touched. He was never a man who could go unnoticed, and his booming voice and mischievous twinkle in his eye commanded any room he was in. His love for his family and for the Lord leaves behind a legacy of a life lived to the fullest, and a life that was a blessing to everyone he met.
Bill was born April 1, 1929 in Miami, Florida to John and Elizabeth Zell. He joined the US Army Air Corps (later the US Air Force) in 1946 at the age of 17. He served for three years, and upon his discharge he returned to Florida. He married Aline Sanders on September 3, 1950, and remained by her side for 65 years until his passing. Bill worked a series of jobs until he found his life's calling as a firefighter in 1963. He rose through the ranks of the Hialeah, Florida Fire Department to become a battalion chief, and retired in 1987. Bill accepted Christ as his personal Savior in 1952, and he and Aline have served faithfully since as members of their local Nazarene churches. Bill and Aline had a burden for reaching the poorest members of their community, particularly children and youth. In the mid 1990's the Lord led them to create a community outreach food pantry at the Pineville Church of the Nazarene in Charlotte, North Carolina, and they served there faithfully until their move to Olathe, Kansas. They have immensely enjoyed the time they have spent with their children and grandchildren, first in Charlotte, North Carolina and more recently in Olathe, Kansas.
He is survived by his wife, Aline, his children Bill (wife Pam), JoAnne (husband Dan), Janet (husband Mark), and Phil (wife Kathy), 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, his brother Jim Zell and sister Roberta Frye.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Lenexa Central Church of the Nazarene youth ministry:
(Please use the following link: http://www.centralchurchonline.com/give.html)
To leave a special message for the family please click the "share memories" tab above.
Bill was born April 1, 1929 in Miami, Florida to John and Elizabeth Zell. He joined the US Army Air Corps (later the US Air Force) in 1946 at the age of 17. He served for three years, and upon his discharge he returned to Florida. He married Aline Sanders on September 3, 1950, and remained by her side for 65 years until his passing. Bill worked a series of jobs until he found his life's calling as a firefighter in 1963. He rose through the ranks of the Hialeah, Florida Fire Department to become a battalion chief, and retired in 1987. Bill accepted Christ as his personal Savior in 1952, and he and Aline have served faithfully since as members of their local Nazarene churches. Bill and Aline had a burden for reaching the poorest members of their community, particularly children and youth. In the mid 1990's the Lord led them to create a community outreach food pantry at the Pineville Church of the Nazarene in Charlotte, North Carolina, and they served there faithfully until their move to Olathe, Kansas. They have immensely enjoyed the time they have spent with their children and grandchildren, first in Charlotte, North Carolina and more recently in Olathe, Kansas.
He is survived by his wife, Aline, his children Bill (wife Pam), JoAnne (husband Dan), Janet (husband Mark), and Phil (wife Kathy), 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, his brother Jim Zell and sister Roberta Frye.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Lenexa Central Church of the Nazarene youth ministry:
(Please use the following link: http://www.centralchurchonline.com/give.html)
To leave a special message for the family please click the "share memories" tab above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Zell, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Saturday, November 28, 2015
11:00am - 12:00 pm (Central time)
Central Church
Memorial Service
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Starts at 12:00 pm (Central time)
Central Church
Guestbook
Visits: 2
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