William Samuel Harvey was born December 7, 1922, in Ellis, KS to the late William and Amanda (Nelson) Harvey. He passed away Tuesday, August 30, 2011, in the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital at WaKeeney at the age of 88.

He graduated from Trego Community High School with the class of 1940 and attended college for two years. He then served in the United States Army during WWII.


On July 20, 1958, Bill was united in marriage to Mary Lou Blakely in the First United Methodist Church at WaKeeney.
Together they farmed in the rural Ogallah area until he retired in 1993.


Bill was a dedicated member of the Emanuel Lutheran Church in which his grandfather was instrumental in building. When the steeple was struck by lightning, Bill was eagerly there to help rebuild it. He was also a member of the Silver Haired Legislature and a faithful member of the Randall Reid VFW Post #3449 in WaKeeney. For forty years, Bill proudly read the Pioneers names for the Memorial Weekend Services in the Ogallah Cemetery. In his spare time, he loved to hunt.


Survivors include his wife, Mary Lou, of WaKeeney; a nephew, Neil Niewald of Wichita; a niece, Demaris Niewald and ten other nieces and nephews and their families.


He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Lee Niewald; and a nephew, Nick Niewald.

Visitation for Bill will be 6-8 PM Monday, September 5, 2011 at Schmitt Funeral Home in WaKeeney. Services will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, September 6, 2011 also at Schmitt Funeral Home with Reverend Jon Anderson and Intern Erik Grayvold officiating.

Interment will be in the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery at WaKeeney.

Memorials are suggested to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church and can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.