William (Bill) Louis Niebaum passed away peacefully in his sleep at home Sunday, April 14, 2024. He was born May 8, 1945 at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas to Lynn & Lucille Johnstone Niebaum, along with his older siblings Donald and Barbara.
Growing up, his family moved several times due to his fathers occupation of working on oil rigs. He graduated high school from Bethany, Oklahoma in June, 1963. While growing up, he spent a lot of time with his extended family, his mother’s 14 siblings and their children. The Johnstone first cousins were all very close. Every year, except for about ten in the last forty years, the weekend after Father’s day was spent at Osage Cove at Kaw Lake for the Johnstone family reunion. Throwing horseshoes, playing dominoes, pitch, fishing and enjoying stories were endless and cherished by all.
Taking a chance in February, 1969 he went on a blind date in Wichita where he would meet the love of his life and future wife of fifty four years and four months. The couple would be blessed with children Angela Suzann and Jonathan William.
Bill enlisted in the United States Navy September 30, 1963 to April 16, 1967. He was on four ships during his enlistment and was in the Vietnam war. Three years, nine months and 24 days were spent at sea and foreign locations.
October 27-29th, 2021, he fulfilled a dream of participating in Kansas Honor Flight #87. His daughter Angie accompanied him. He thoroughly enjoyed & cherished this trip. The returning reception at the airport in Wichita left him speechless from all of the volunteers and people in attendance holding & waving flags, personalized posters and cheering. He said when he came home from the war the soldiers were not well received. Several family members were able to attend the return reception. That meant the world to him.
On two different times Bill worked at Plessy Welco, BAE, TECT in Wellington, Kansas starting as a CNC operator and then in the electrical & maintenance department moving up to supervisor of the department. He spent 33 years working there where he made many lifelong friends. When he lived in Oklahoma City he worked for a construction company that built apartment complexes. He was a plumber at that time.
Bill spent his free time with his family, attending Angie & Jonathan’s activities, hunting, fishing, & bowling and participating in fishing derby’s & other events put on by the Caldwell Sportsman’s Club. He rarely met a stranger and could visit with anyone. He was quite the character. Bill was always ready to help anyone that needed it. Whether it was helping mow yards, fixing things at houses, cars, feeding animals, or helping them move & volunteering at school activities when his work schedule would allow it.
He was extremely proud of his wife, children and extended family. He would share stories of them with anyone who would listen. He will greatly be missed.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents Lynn & Lucille, in-laws Dwight & Jean Draper, sister Barbara, brother Donald & sister-in-law Patricia Niebaum, brother-in-law Michael Draper and nephew Michael Tebow-Niebaum of Blackwell, Oklahoma.
He is survived by wife, Susan & son, Jonathan of the home, daughter, Angie & Chris Baker, grandchildren Rylee Danielle & Jace Andrew all of Caldwell. Brother-in-law Douglas & Cindy Draper of Wichita, Kansas, brother-in-law Vincent & June Draper of Wellington, Kansas and sister-in-law Rose Mary & Charles Schmidt of Caldwell. Niece, Lisa Rains of Blackwell, Oklahoma, niece, Kimberly & Dale Coons of Ponca City and twelve great nephews and seven great nieces.
Following cremation, services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2024 at Schaeffer Mortuary in Caldwell, Kansas.
Memorials may be made to the Caldwell Sportsman’s Club and sent in care of the mortuary.
