William Houdashelt

Graveside services for William “Bill” Houdashelt, 95, Le Loup, will be at 1 p.m. today at Highland Cemetery in Ottawa, with Tom Clingerman and Robert Detwiler officiating. A bonfire and celebration of life will follow at 7 p.m. today at the home of Kathy Seimears in Le Loup.
Mr. Houdashelt died Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at Wellsville Retirement Community.
He was born Nov. 12, 1913, in Chicopee, the son of Charles and Nora Farine Houdashelt.
Mr. Houdashelt was employed by Santa Fe Railroad for 46 years. He retired in 1978.
He was a member of the Kansas National Guard and a 76-year member of Modern Woodmen of America. He enjoyed gardening, fires, watching baseball and wrestling on TV, trains and playing dominoes, especially with his grandchildren.
He married Grace DeMaranville on May 2, 1937, in Ottawa. They shared 64 years of marriage. She preceded him in death in 2001. He was also preceded in death by a son, John; a daughter, MaryAnn Detwiler; an infant great-grandchild, Mandy Diamond; a sister, Josephine Wright; and four brothers, Charles Lee, Earl, Jim and Clarence “Brownie.”
Survivors include a daughter, Kathy Seimears and husband Lee, Le Loup; a son-in-law, Robert Detwiler, Ottawa; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson.
The family met friends from Friday at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa.
The family suggests memorials to Bea Martin Peck Animal Shelter, sent in care of the mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa KS 66067.