William (Bill) Forrester Symns

William Forrester (Bill) Symns, age 90 of St John, KS passed away on September 6, 2024, at Stafford County Hospital. He was born on January 16, 1934, to Charles Irwin and Nellie Sarah (Forrester) Symns at his grandparents’ home in St John, KS.Bill attended Radium schools from 1940 to 1950 and graduated from Hutchinson High School in1952. He went to two years of college at the University of Kansas. He then served active duty overseas for the United States Army and retired as an active 1st Sargent with the Army Reserve in Dodge City, KS on January 16, 1994. He was an avid farmer and loved wildlife. Bill was a member of the First Christian Church, Larned, KS, Order of the Eastern Star, Masons. He served on the Radium Coop Board and the Township board. On June 7, 1993, he was united in marriage to Margaret I. Ferguson on the family farm in northwest Stafford County. She survives. Other survivors include: 2 stepsons: Rodney and Randy Fox; 1 stepdaughter: Mary (Danny) Gatton; a great niece: Jackie (Alec) Young; 7 step grandchildren, 12 step great grandchildren, 5 step great great grandchildren, 2 great great nieces, 1 great great nephew, and numerous cousins. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, a brother, a sister, a stepdaughter, two step grandsons, a nephew and a niece. Per Bill wishes, cremation has taken place, and a private family burial will take place at a later date. Memorials can be given to the Stafford County Hospital, Stafford, KS or the First Christian Church, Larned, KS in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 34, St John, KS 67576.