William E. “Bill” George, 92, longtime Erie resident, died Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010 in the emergency room of Labette Health in Parsons.

He was born Jan. 24, 1918, in Erie, to Fred and Edith Heady George. He graduated from Erie High School in 1937, from Parsons Junior College in 1941 and from Pittsburg State University in 1941.

During World War II he served in the U. S. Army Air Force. For 40 years he operated a general insurance agency in Erie. His office was in the Erie Savings and Loan Association building and he also worked there. Through his adult years he also farmed part time.

He was a member of the First Christian Church of Erie, the Erie American Legion and the V.F.W. in Parsons. He served on the Neosho Fair Board for 25 years.

On Nov. 1, 1940 he married Ava Kinne, in El Dorado. She preceded him in death on Oct. 8, 2004.

Survivors include a son, Dale E. George and his wife, Joann, Albert; a daughter, Kay George, LaCygne; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson; Jenifer Vanskike, her husband, Rob, their children, Megan Vanskike, Todd Vanskike, his wife, Amanda, and their son Gavin, all of Great Bend; Brenda Fish and her husband, Craig, Wichita; Marilyn Ille and her husband, Mike, Hoisington; Bruce George, Marion; Gary George and his children Ashlynn and Bailey, Great Bend; three sisters, Freeda Pierce, Texas; Janice Hazen, Holden, Mo., Janette Phelps, Parsons; numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death was his wife, Ava; three brothers, Hollis George, Leon George, and Fred George, Jr.; and three sisters, Lucille Malson, Dortha Johnson and Louise Brasier.

Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7 at the First Christian Church in Erie. Burial will be in East Hill Cemetery with military honors given by the Brown Bishop Post # 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church, the Erie American Legion or the V.F.W. of Parsons. They may be left at or sent to the Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home at Box 182, Erie, KS66733. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com