Willis Funk, Dds

Dr. Willis (Bill) Lloyd Funk, 91, of Oakley, KS, died Friday, July 24, 2020, at Citizens Medical Center, Colby. He was born on October 2, 1928, in Abilene, KS, to Adolf and Olga (Weinbrenner) Funk. Bill spent his youth working in his father’s creamery, graduated from Hope High School, and served in the United States Army from 1946-1948. He graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina, KS in 1952 and from the School of Dentistry of the University of Kansas City in 1956. Bill married Shirley Davis on June 20,1954 on a Sunday hot enough to melt the candles! Bill and Shirley moved to Oakley in 1956, where he practiced dentistry for 33 years until retiring in 1989. Dr. Funk served on the Logan County Hospital Board and the Oakley School Board; he was a member of the American Dental Association and the Kansas Dental Association. He was one of the first Hunter’s Safety instructors in Kansas, a Cub Scout Den Master, and a participant in the inaugural annual Annie Oakley golf tournament and in 40 of the next 43 tournaments. He was diagnosed with insulin dependent diabetes at age 35 and was a role model for his physicians due to his diligent disease management, which prevented many common diabetic complications. Bill was an active outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting pheasant, fishing, and gardening for many years. After he retired from an esteemed dental career, his life was filled with attending grandchildren’s activities, taking cruises with his wife, square and swing dancing, and baking countless batches of cookies.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of Oakley; children, Doug (Kathy) Funk, Lawrence; Terri (Chris) Albers, Oakley; Susan (David) Molstad, Ellis; and Kathleen (Blake) Arnberger, Colby; brother Don, Evergreen, CO; 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley. Funeral service is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at the Oakley United Christian Church. Burial will take place in the Oakley City Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Oakley United Christian Church or Logan County Hospital and can be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For information or condolences, visit www.baalmannmortuary.com