Charles William Libel Sr., 85, of rural Highland, KS passed away on Thursday, November 21 2024 from complications of alzheimers disease.

Bill was born the oldest of 6 children on February 19 1939 in rural Leona, KS to Charles F. and Dorothy (Boyle) Libel. Bill graduated in 1957 from the last class of Leona High School and later that year joined the Missouri Air National Guard, serving his country until 1963.

Bill’s lifelong passion of farming began at early age. His father was about to purchase more land and asked Bill what he wanted to do with his life. Bill’s answer was “to farm,” and so began a lifetime of planting, harvesting, and Running Red equipment. Bill proudly displayed an American Flag on each piece of International Harvester equipment he owned. With the help of his brother in law and children, Bill also raised cattle and mended many a broken fence.

Bill quickly learned that starting a farm and raising cattle required lots of money and on his visit to the bank to borrow some, he met the love of his life, Eva. They married May 12 1961 and raised six children together.

Bill was a great custodian of God’s country, where he would build terraces, add drainage tubes, and clear land for farming. His drive to be a great conservationist led him to a term on the board of the Wolf River Watershed District.

Bill spent the last several years restoring Farmall tractors and even building a pulling tractor in which he competed with in the Northwest Missouri Tractor Puller’s Association. Bill made many friends during this time and was very competitive, even winning first place in the Missouri State Fair. If the harvest was good, Bill would add another guitar to the collection. If you stopped by for a visit, Bill would pull out one of them out and play you a song. His love of music and guitar playing went back many years to the early days of his band, The Wolf River Boys.

Bill loved when his kids and grandkids would stop in for a visit and was quick to offer something sweet or one of his famous cups of coffee. His example set the foundation for his children to know the meaning of hard work and making sure the job is done right.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents Charles F. and Dorothy, wife Eva, sister Dorothy Callahan, brother Mike, and daughters-in-law Janet Libel and Lora Libel. He is survived by his brothers John Pat Libel and Bernard Libel, his sister Kathy Gates, his sons Charles Libel, Jr., Patrick (Dee) Libel, Allan (Jennie) Libel, Danny (Kelly) Libel, daughters Elizabeth Libel (Daron) Bauerle and Laura Hover, 17 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 26 2024, at St. Benedicts Catholic Church of Bendena. Burial will follow with military honors at the church cemetery.

A parish rosary will be recited at 9:30 Tuesday morning at the Church, followed by family visiting with friends one hour prior to Mass.

Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Highland after 12:30 until 6 p.m. Monday.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to the Janet Libel Scholarship fund at the Bank of Highland.

Attendees are encouraged to wear Bill’s favorite International Harvester colors: Red, White, and Black.

www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com