W. Paul Degener

Major W. Paul Degener, age 87, of Topeka passed away Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka. Paul was born May 4, 1933 in Detroit, MI, the son of Edward Henry Degener and Flora Evelyn Willard.   He worked as a farm hand, in a flour mill, and at the General Motors Assembly Plant at Fairfax, Kansas City, Kansas.  He served in the U.S. Army at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO from 1953 to 1955, and subsequently as a commissioned officer from 1960 until 1975.  While commissioned, he served at Ft. Benning, GA, Ft. Gordon, GA, Macon, GA and Fort Riley, KS.  His overseas assignments included Germany, Vietnam, and Korea.  He was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Expert Infantry Badge, the Combat Infantry Badge, Parachute Badge, the Ranger Tab and several other lesser awards.  From 1975 until 1993, he served in an enlisted capacity in the Kansas Army National Guard with duty assignments with Headquarters Company, 69th Infantry Brigade, 169th Support Battalion and with the Kansas Army National Guard Central Property Book Office.  During the time of his military service, he completed nine military training courses.  He was retired from Kansas Army National Guard on May 4, 1993 with the highest rank held as major.  His civilian education includes several grade schools in Detroit, MI, Everett, Seattle and Snohomish, Washington and El Paso, Texas.  He graduated from Washington Rural High School, Bethel, Kansas in 1951.  He received his BS in Industrial Education from Kansas State Teachers College (KSTC) in 1960 and two master’s degrees from Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, one in Industrial and Occupational Education and the other in Secondary Administration.  He married Bobbi Jean Sill-McCall, they later divorced.  He married Shirley Ann Bakken in 1999, she preceded him in death.  He married Maggie S. Jones December 15, 2012.   Paul is survived by his wife, Maggie Degener of Topeka;  a son, Paul (Rose) Alan Degener of Yulee, FL, a daughter, Linda (Joe) Paulette Klinkner of Pickerington, OH, a stepson, Thomas (Rhonda) Jones of Biloxi, Mississippi; a stepdaughter, Sonia (Eric) Lawrence of Perry, KS; a half-brother John Edward Degener of Holland, two half-sisters, Georgette Alice Hill of Indiana and Rose Marie Degener of Costa Mesa, CA, four stepsons, Stephen Duane Bakken of Mission, KS, Craig Bakken of Derry, NH, Bradley Alon Bakken of Anaheim, CA, Robert Neal McCall of Augusta, GA, three stepdaughters, Delores June McCall-Hill of Florida, Cathie McCall-Richards of Evans, GA, Mary Lynn McCall-Jones, along with several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Paul was preceded in death by a sister, Blanche Miller and a brother, Ward Bishop. 

Funeral services will be Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Davidson Funeral Home.  He will lie in state Friday afternoon from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Davidson Funeral Home.  Visitation will be one hour before services from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. also at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions may be made to the North Topeka Baptist Church and sent in care of the Davidson Funeral Home.  Private inurnment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery. Services will be streamed live on Davidson Funeral Home & Cremation Facebook page.  davidsonfuneral.com.