WILLIAM WILEY MCFARLAND

WILLIAM WILEY MCFARLAND William Wiley McFarland, 96, of Cimarron, Kansas passed away July 4, 2024 in Chanute, Kansas. Wiley was born in Dodge City, Kansas, May 12, 1928, the son of William Rearick McFarland and Barbara Marie (Ordnung) McFarland. He was raised on the family ranch near Cimarron, Kansas and attended Cimarron High School participating in many activities including music and sports. He was particularly proud to be a member of the band, playing the trombone from the 3rd grade to graduation. He was a member of the band when it traveled to St. Louis to participate in a competition and came home with honors! He attended Dodge City Junior College, once again participating in football, band and choir, as well as performing in musicals. He continued his education at Colorado State University earning his Bachelor of Science and Master's Degrees in Civil Engineering and Irrigational Engineering and of course, playing in the band. While singing in the Methodist Church Choir in Fort Collins, he met Patricia Jean Peacock, and they were married on December 23, 1951. Shortly after the wedding, Wiley entered the Navy serving as a Civil Engineer during the Korean War; he was proud to be a Seabee. The couple traveled throughout the United States calling several Naval bases home, and he enjoyed performing in a quartet on base with some of his buddies. He served on active duty for three years and then served in the Naval Reserves for 22 years. In 1957, Wiley returned to Cimarron to join his father on the ranch, living there the rest of his life. Wiley and Pat had two daughters and were married 47 years until her death in 1998. He married Louise (Elder) Gillispie in September of 2000, and they were married 16 years until she passed away in 2016. Wiley was an active member of the Cimarron United Methodist Church. He served on various boards, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, served as Lay Leader and was Delegate to the Kansas West Conference of the United Methodist Church for many years. He was the Chairman of the Building Committee when the church building was built in the mid-1970s, putting in countless volunteer hours along with other very dedicated members of the church. One of Wiley's greatest honors was to serve the citizens of Gray County as County Commissioner for over 40 years. He was elected to office in November of 1964 and served through 2008. He served on many Boards in his role as County Commissioner - locally, regionally and statewide. He served as the President for the Kansas Association of Counties in 1979. Perhaps his favorite project as a County Commissioner was spearheading the Gray County Veterans Memorial Project. Wiley was preceded in death by one infant brother, his parents, his wife, Patricia and his wife, Louise. He is survived by his daughter Greta (Steve) Huebert of Chanute, Kansas and his daughter Sara McFarland of Cimarron; stepchildren Anne (Keith) Conklin of Arvada, Colorado, John (Jodie) Gillispie of Hollister, Missouri, and Paul (Mylinda) Gillispie of Colorado, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren and numerous relatives and friends. Funeral service will be held at Cimarron Methodist Church on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Kevin Reed presiding. Burial will follow at Cimarron Cemetery. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel in Cimarron, Kansas on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 from noon to 8:00 PM, with the family receiving friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Cimarron Methodist Church or the Cimarron Library in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com