Obituary of John W. "Bill" Mathes

IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOHN W. "BILL" MATHES Long time businessman and cattleman, John William "Bill" Mathes, Jr. passed away on Sunday, May 11, 2024. Bill was born December 31, 1926, in Norton KS, in the back room of the Scott Brantley Funeral Home (currently Enfield Funeral Home) where his father worked as a caretaker. He was the oldest of six children born to John W. Mathes and Margaret (Ford) Mathes. Bill grew to manhood on the family farm southeast of Clayton, and enlisted in the US Army in 1943, at the age of 17. Shortly thereafter, he was selected for advanced training in guerrilla warfare and sent to Japan on the USS General William Weigel. In Japan, Bill became part of the 77th Infantry Division, 11th Regiment, 306th Infantry Battalion. He soon attained the rank of First Sergeant. After his discharge, Bill married Rosemary L McClelland on July 10th, 1948. Bill and Rosemary owned several grocery stores in Norton, and purchased the Norton Ice and Locker, and the Slaughtering facility in 1961. It was during this time period that Bill was also a wholesale dealer for the Wald Fireworks CO. In 1978, they purchased the 'Root Beer Drive Inn'. He was also an agent for the Mutual of New York Life Insurance Company and the Jackson National Life Insurance Company for several years. While tending to his other businesses, he operated his feed lot for over 50 years, which was his passion. At one time or another his pens were home to cattle, Shetland ponies, hogs, goats, sheep, rabbits, and numerous species of fowl. Throughout his life, Bill was devoted to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a member of the Norton Christian Church, was an Elder for many years, and served as a Sunday school teacher for over 50 years. Bill is survived by his wife Rosemary; two daughters, Marilyn (Gary) Ochsner of South Fork Colorado; and Susan (Floyd) Smith of Overland Park, KS; a son, Steve (Janet) Mathes of Norton; three grandchildren, Nathan Mathes, Phillipsburg; Amanda (JP) Bockes, Lee's Summit, MO; and Megan (Mike) Volo, Gardner, KS; and four great- grandchildren, Breanna Volo, Kolby, Kaleb, and Paige Bockes; two sisters and two brothers. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, and one brother-in-law. A memorial has been established to the Norton County Health Department