William M. Runyan

1924 - 2015

William (Bill) Marion Runyan II, 90, died May 1 in Houston of natural causes. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 66 years, Jacqueline Fisher Runyan. He is survived by his five children: Michael Runyan of Montgomery, Lucinda Anderson (David) of Kingwood, John Runyan (Ruth) of Alexandria, VA, Janet Runyan of Boulder, Colo., Amy Asofsky (Douglas) of Houston, five grandchildren; Jackie Anderson Owens (Ford), Brian Anderson (Taylor), Caitlin Runyan, Margaret Runyan, and Hannah Asofsky, and one great grandchild, Charlotte Owens.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1924, Bill was the son of Alfred C. and Vena C. Runyan and was raised in Pittsburg, Kansas. His grandfather was a noted Methodist hymnist William M. Runyan I. Bill left Baker University in Baldwin, Kansas to enlist in the US Army in 1942 and served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of WWII before his discharge in 1946. He returned to Baker, graduating in 1948 with a degree in Business Administration. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. That summer, he married the former Jacqueline Norma Fisher of Saverton, Missouri. He earned a degree in Printing from the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY in 1950 and began his career in commercial printing. In the 1970's, he formed Lane-Runyan Printing which later merged with Dallas-based Riverside Press. He retired from printing in 1991.

Bill was an avid woodworker who graced his and his children's homes with beautiful hand crafted toys and furniture. He also enjoyed bridge, golf, hunting and fly-fishing and tied his own flies for many years. He was never happier than when surrounded by family.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 23 at Kingwood Funeral Home, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Baker University to the William M. Runyan Endowed Memorial Scholarship in Music, P.O. Box 65, Baldwin City, Kansas 66006.