William Ted Tidwell

1937 - 2024

William Ted Tidwell

September 9, 1937 - June 25, 2024

Garfield, Arkansas - William Ted Tidwell passed away peacefully on June 25, 2024 at his home on Beaver Lake in Arkansas. A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024, 3:00 p.m., at Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS. A reception will follow at the church. The service will also be live streamed: https://www.villagepres.org/online.html.

Ted was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Janet Meserve Tidwell, his son, Brant William Tidwell and his oldest grandson William Foster Tidwell (Allison). He is survived by his son, Scott Alan Tidwell and his wife Missy, his daughter-in-law Lucy Woodard Tidwell, his brother Michael Kelly Tidwell (Liz) as well as his grandchildren Aubrey Tidwell Walker (Trevor), Sam Tidwell (Megan), Calvin Tidwell (Nicole), and Taylor Tidwell (Ari) as well as his great grandchildren Lily, Wills, Teddy, August, Georgia, Beau, Logan, Millie, Forrest and Mac. Ted so loved Janet's brother, Dee, and his nieces and nephews.

Ted was born in 1937 in Columbus, Mississippi. An avid trumpet player, Ted started his own band while in high school there. During high school, his family moved to Shawnee Mission, Kansas. Again, Ted started his own band and continued that into college at the University of Kansas where he also played for the KU Marching Jayhawks. Ted was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity where he met his future brother-in-law, who would later set Ted and Janet up on a blind date.

Shortly after graduating from KU, Ted began working at Kansas City Life Insurance Company, where he became Vice President of Communications and enjoyed a 35-year career, making many lasting friendships.

In retirement, Ted and Janet moved to Beaver Lake, Arkansas becoming part of a wonderful community of friends there. Ted, once again, started the "Second Wind" band, which entertained so many at Lost Bridge Village events. Ted showed his indomitable spirit as he continued to attend band practices and play at events even while his health was failing. For years Ted played Auld Lang Syne every New Year's Eve from his deck overlooking Beaver Lake at midnight with the lovely sound of his trumpet echoing across the valley below. He continued to play his trumpet until his very last days.

Ted and Janet were married for over 60 years and were so dedicated to all their family, especially their two sons. Both were very involved in the Prairie Village community and the boys activities, especially Boy Scout Troop 91. Ted and Janet were a team and supported each other in all ways. That dedication never showed up more strongly than through Ted's devoted care of Janet during her battle with Alzheimers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to God's Food Pantry in Garfield, Arkansas or a charity of choice.