Billy Wayne Gabbert

Billy W. Gabbert, 69, passed away peacefully on Christmas morning after a brief stay in Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita KS.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Monday, January 5, 2026 at Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Hesston, Kansas with military honors. Family will greet friends following the service.
Bill was born on July 20, 1956 in Staunton, Virginia to Cleveland C. and Georgia Belle (Benson) Gabbert. At the age of four, they moved to Wilmington, DE where he attended school and graduated from Conrad High School in 1974.
Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force, reporting for basic training in February of 1975. His service included assignments in Japan, Korea, Alaska, as well as a combat tour during Operation Desert Storm/Shield serving as a truck driver moving munitions and supplies. Bill's final assignment placed him at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, KS. Bill achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1995 after 20 years of service.
Bill married Karyn Owens in 1975. This union was blessed with two children, Heather and Michael.
Bill's second career following the Air Force incorporated his years of experience driving trucks. His truck operating resume included driving semi (always a Peterbilt) over-the-road for Bruenger Trucking and other companies; driving dump trucks for excavation companies; and positioning and staging trailers at warehouse loading docks for Love Box/Pratt Industries. His final employer was Excel Industries in Hesston, KS. Bill was just feet away and forever changed following the tragic workplace violence incident that took place at Excel in 2016.
In 2007 Bill married Joan Schmidt and they resided in Hesston. While living across from Hesston Golf Park, Bill's passion for golf and the number of rounds he played exploded. It was only natural Bill moonlighted as a course marshall and clubhouse employee, jumping into a cart and playing a few holes whenever time allowed.
Bill was a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan. A trip to Dallas included a tour of AT&T stadium and a photo of Bill standing on the legendary star logo at the center of the football field. Bill was also passionate about Hot Rods and Muscle Cars. As a member of the Muscle Inc. Car Club, Bill formed lasting friendships while attending and participating in numerous car shows and club activities.
Bill is survived by daughter Heather Gabbert; son Michael (Vickie) Gabbert; their mother Karyn; grandson Cameron Gabbert. His wife Joan Gabbert; step-children Andrew (Kiley) Schmidt; Anna (Justin) Linhardt; Joseph (Breanna) Schmidt; Rachel Schmidt; step-grandchildren Josie, Morgan and Rosalind Linhardt; Tatum, Maria and Francis Schmidt; and his beloved cat-buddy Auggie.
In lieu of a memorial or plant, please consider extending a gesture of kindness and love to a veteran and/or their family. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Billy, please visit our floral store.