William "Bill Baxter Dinger" Brentlinger

William Baxter "Bill" Brentlinger, 68, affectionately known as "Dinger," passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at his home. Born on June 2, 1956, in El Dorado, Kansas, Bill was the cherished son of Floyd and Patricia "Logan" Brentlinger. He spent his entire life in El Dorado, a town that shaped his character and became the backdrop for his many passions and endeavors.
Bill graduated from El Dorado High School in 1974, where his love for sports, particularly baseball, truly flourished. As a standout player, he earned a place in the El Dorado Baseball Hall of Fame with one of his teams-a testament to his skill and dedication to the game. His love for sports extended far beyond baseball, as he engaged in bowling, volleyball, slow-pitch softball, and eventually, his last sporting passion: golf. Bill was a fervent supporter of "his" teams, including the Washington Redskins (now the Commanders), the Kansas City Royals, KU basketball (despite his children's allegiance to K-State), and the Nashville Predators.
After high school, Bill immediately entered the workforce, showcasing his strong work ethic and commitment. He spent years in Operations at Hesston Corp., Union Tank Car, and eventually at the local refinery during its transitions from Getty, to Texaco, and then Holly Frontier. Bill specialized in the Sulfur Unit and ARU, earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues along the way.
Beyond his professional life, Bill was a man of many talents and hobbies. He had a green thumb, cultivating a beautiful vegetable garden each year. His love for woodworking and tinkering in his "big garage" brought joy not only to himself but also to those around him. Bill crafted many items for family and friends, including welcome signs, a toybox and bench for his beloved grandson, Colston, and countless puzzle frames. His creativity and craftsmanship were matched only by his love for putting together puzzles, a pastime that reflected his patient and thoughtful nature.
Bill was known for his humor, sociability, and unwavering loyalty. He had an uncanny ability to make friends in every corner of his life, and those friendships were lifelong. Even if time or distance separated him from a friend, Bill was always the first to lend a helping hand when needed. His presence will be deeply missed by his "In a couple of days" group of guys, who shared countless memories and laughs over the years.
Above all, Bill's true love was his family. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, always there to support and cheer on his loved ones, especially at Colston's events and activities. His family was the center of his world, and he took immense pride in being there for them through every joy and challenge.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Teresa (Anderson) Brentlinger, of the home; his mother, Patricia Brentlinger; his son, Chad Brentlinger; his daughter, Erin Regnier (Zachary) and their son, Colston; his brother, Tom Brentlinger; his brothers-in-law, Paul Anderson (Lauri) and Keith Hillis; his sister-in-law, Stephanie Nudo; his nephews, Chris Pruitt (Kristi), Cole Anderson, and Dominick Nudo; his nieces, Tiffany Cartwright (Richard), Camille Anderson, and Mickenzi Evers; his great-nieces; and many other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Floyd; his sister, Dena Hillis; his twin daughters, Rachel and Rebecca; his father-in-law, Frank; his mother-in-law, Phyllis; and his brother-in-law, Rick.
A come-and-go reception will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the El Dorado Senior Center, 210 E. 2nd Ave., El Dorado, to honor Bill's memory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Bill's name to the El Dorado Baseball Hall of Fame, 210 N. Griffith, El Dorado, KS 67042.
Bill "Dinger" Brentlinger leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and loyalty that will forever be cherished by those who were fortunate enough to know him.