Osage City--William "Bill" Priebe, Jr., 97, passed away on Monday, March 26, 2018 at his home in Osage City, Kansas. He was born in Vassar, Kansas, the son of William and Minnie Ebel Priebe, Sr.
Bill was a life-long resident of Osage County, Kansas with the exception of his service in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.
Bill was married to Audrey Bowman on January 10, 1942 in Vassar.
Bill and Audrey were owners of Priebe Grocery and Locker Plant in Vassar for over 30 years. He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Vassar. He was an active member of community efforts to establish water service under Osage County water district #3, create and install a zoning commission for the Pomona Lake area and promote Pomona Lake visitation with other business leaders around Pomona Lake. After selling the business in Vassar, Bill was a construction project inspector for an Engineering/Consultant firm in Topeka until his retirement.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Audrey; his parents, William and Minnie; and four sisters, Ester, Marie, Viola and Wilma.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Jo Ann Hamilton; grandson Mark Hamilton; great-granddaughter, Jenna Hamilton; grandson Christopher Hamilton (Cassie); his son, James "Jim" Priebe (Judy); granddaughter, Jessica Matsler (William); great-grandchildren, Emily and Joshua Matsler; and his sister, Donna Bitterman and her immediate family.
Private graveside services for Bill were at the Vassar Cemetery. The family request memorial contributions of the donor's choice in memory of Bill, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Avenue, Lyndon, KS. 66451.