William G. “Bill” Barthel, 98, Atchison, Kansas, died Sunday, September 8, 2019, at Atchison Medicalodge.

Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, September 14, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church with Rev. Jeremy Heppler, OSB as celebrant.  Interment will follow in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Troy, Kansas. A parish rosary will be recited on Friday, September 13th at 6:00 p.m. with visitation to follow until 7:30 p.m. at the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Benedict Catholic School Endowment or St. Croix Hospice and may be left in care of the funeral home. The Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home has been entrusted with final care. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.arensbergpruett.com.

Bill was born August 6, 1921, in Leavenworth, Kansas, the son of William P. and Edna (Whitley) Barthel. He attended St. Benedict’s Grade School and Atchison High School.

He and Doris Lucille Congrove were united in marriage on November 9, 1941, at the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Parsonage. Mrs. Barthel preceded him in death on February 2, 2002.

Bill enlisted in the United States Army Infantry on February 1, 1943 and served until his honorable discharge on March 10, 1946.

Prior to his enlistment in the Army, Bill was employed with Blair Milling of Atchison. When he returned from Active Duty, Bill went to work at Blish-Mize & Sillman as a local truck driver, he served in this capacity for 38 years, retiring in 1984. Bill was a hard worker, this trait was instilled in him at a young age as he worked for a barber shop, going in each morning to sweep the floors and wash windows before school. 

Bill was a member of St. Benedict Parish attending St. Joseph’s Church. He liked going to “Coffee Club” at McDonalds and catching up with friends. Bill enjoyed camping and spending time outdoors. He had a passion for riding his motorcycle up and down the highways and byways. In his later years he took up horse riding and enjoyed his horse, Danny.

Survivors include a son, William Alvin (Lois) Barthel, three daughters, Lola (Bill) Wagner, Ruth Barthel, Rose (Johnny) Smith, nine grandchildren, Cindy (Rick) Vanderweide, Chris (Cynthia) Wagner, Tim (Marsha) Wagner, Katie (Willie) Geisendorf, Jeremy Erpelding, Clay (Julie) Barthel, Sarah (Jason) Ricci, Trever (Lisa) Smith, Nathan (Cherise) Smith, and thirty one great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Doris Lucille, three infant brothers and a grandson Travis Barthel.