William E. "Bill" Augustine

William Everett Augustine, 82, was born on August 14th,1943 to Harold & Louise (Sneed) Augustine in a little farmhouse east of Walnut, KS. He was raised on the farm, with one sister, Roberta (Howard) Baugh. He married his high school sweetheart, Joan Culbertson on September 5, 1964 at Big Creek United Methodist Church, not far from the far where Joan was raised near Chanute, KS. Bill and Joan were one day away from sharing 61 years of marriage together. Bill attended Walnut Schools until his junior year in High School, when he transferred to Stark Joint Rural High School in Stark, Kansas. This is where he met Joan and many lifelong friends. Bill and Joan lived the majority of their married life in Chanute, where they raised their two daughters, Cindy and Christy. Bill worked for the State of Kansas in several different departments that included Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Health and Environment, and Kansas Corporation Commission. Bill enjoyed his service to the state, and also his retirement years, retiring at the age of 53. He had many hobbies that he enjoyed, including hunting and fishing. But he especially loved archery. In addition to bowhunting, he owned a hobby business, known as Augustine Archery for 40 years. He loved encouraging others to pursue archery and hunting as he loved it so much. He taught countless children how to shoot through 4-H and Parks and Rec in Chanute. He also facilitated the teaching of archery to children in the Hesston area after they moved to Harvey County. Bill loved racquetball, played church league softball, enjoyed weightlifting and swimming to name a few sports he enjoyed over the years. Another hobby Bill enjoyed was smoking meat. It was an opportunity to gather with family and friends, and hog roasts took place hosted by Bill and Joan over many years. Faith in Christ was important to Bill. He was an active member of Westview Southern Baptist Church in Chanute, KS for much of his adult life. He later joined Immanuel Baptist Church when he and Joan moved to rural Newton to be closer to their daughters and their families. Family was also important to Bill and he was intentional about attending his grandchildren's activities once he was close enough to do so. Bill will be remembered for his positive attitude, his sense of humor, his determination, as well as his love for his Savior and his family and friends. Bill is survived by his wife, Joan, their two daughters and their families: Cindy (John) Reimer, Christy (Jim) Brenneman, four grandchildren, Kylie (Chance) Hollern, Grant Brenneman, Abigail (Luke) Borton, and Elyse Reimer, and two great grandchildren, Leightyn and Dali Hollern. A graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 12th at Eastlawn Cemetery on N. West Rd, Rural Newton, KS. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m., at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1515 N. Anderson, Newton, KS, meal to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bluestem Communities in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 32, Hesston, KS 67062.