Billy Mack "Bill" Uhner

Billy Mack Uhner, "Bill," 86, of Valley Falls, Kansas, passed away at his home on November 20, 2025. He was born January 8, 1939 in Stigler, Oklahoma, the son of Alvin Stuart Uhner and Neva Ruth (Ross) Uhner. Bill grew up in the Stilwell and Muskogee, Oklahoma areas.

Bill graduated from Central High School in Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1958. He participated in the Central Law Students Organization and played baseball and football. His high school football team traveled to Anchorage, Alaska to play in the Santa Claus Bowl in 1956. He played on the VFW baseball team that won several titles. He played bass violin in the orchestra and was a member of the Muskogee Boys Choir.

He married Lyndia June Turley in Stigler, Oklahoma on February 20, 1960. He and both parents were only children and he wanted to change that. He always wanted a big family & boy did he get one!

He earned his bachelor's degree from Northeastern State College, Tahlequah, Oklahoma in 1962 and his master's degree from Emporia State Teacher's College, Emporia, Kansas in 1971. Bill spent his career in education as a high school and middle school teacher and later became an administrator. He taught in several Kansas schools including Longton, Wellington, Valley Falls, Perry-Lecompton, Easton, Effingham (ACCHS), and Winchester/Nortonville (JCN). The majority of his career was with Jefferson County North, where he served as principal for the grade school and middle school. At the various schools, he coached football, track and basketball.

While teaching, Bill also worked nights as a security guard and deputy in various Kansas towns. After retiring as an educator and administrator, he continued serving the public as a night security guard at Stormont Vail Regional Medical Center, Topeka, Kansas & worked at the hometown grocery store – Steve's Thriftway.

Bill was active in his churches throughout the years. He taught Sunday School, sang in the choirs, and participated in the annual "Last Supper" presentation at the United Methodist Church in Valley Falls. He served as a lay minister at the United Methodist Church and at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, both in Valley Falls, Kansas.

Bill enjoyed golfing and attending his children's, grandchildren's, and great-grandchildren's activities. He loved watching old westerns, musicals & detective shows, cheering on his favorite sports teams-especially the K-State Wildcats & Washburn Ichabods-listening to country western music, watching and listening to the various preachers in radio and television, spending time with his cat "Mimmie" and the dogs, "Shiloh" and "Bubba". A Cherokee citizen - He was proud of his Indigenous heritage and attended the Cherokee National Holiday each year after retiring.

He survived by his wife, Lyndia and children, Robin (Carl) Boyette, Meriden, KS; William Shaun Uhner, Valley Falls, KS; Denalyn (L. Richard) Page, Nortonville, KS; Mary Hunt (Rodrigo Alhambra), Valley Falls, KS; Victor (Kathryn) Uhner, Chanute, KS; Solvieg "Sunny" Bosse, Verden, Germany; Reese & Jack Rossiter, Potsdam, Germany; sons-in-law, Eric Mickan, Potsdam, Germany; John Hunt, Valley Falls, KS; and Mark McMillin, Lecompton, KS; sisters-in-law, Janice Schultz and Susan Loman; 18 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Sophie Mickan; great-grandchildren Nathaniel Boyette, Marissa June Hunt; and Johnna Rose Hunt; and brothers-in-law, Leonard "Pete" Turley, Will Schultz and David Lowman.

Memorial contributions may be made in care of Barnett Funeral Home to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Ascend Hospice, or Children's Mercy Hospital.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on December 13, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., with a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date in Stilwell, Oklahoma.