William Anthony Wapp, 83 passed away November 19, 2023 at LMH Health in Lawrence, KS. He was born January 17, 1940 to John David, Sr. and Marie Ellen (Mangan) Wapp. He was raised in Frankfort and graduated from Frankfort High School in 1958. He farmed with his father on the family farm until he joined the U.S. Army in 1962. He went through training at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland, and then worked as an overseer at Leavenworth Penitentiary in Leavenworth, KS. He was deployed to Germany through the Vietnam era. When he returned in 1965 he worked on the family farm. In September 1965 he met the love of his life, Betty Lee Eden of Marysville, KS. They married on November 26, 1966 at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Marysville, KS. They had three children: son, Cory Anthony Wapp, and daughters, Crystal Lynne Herschell and Charity Monae’ Wapp, all of Lawrence, KS. His life was blessed with two grandsons, Matthew Meseke, Manhattan, KS and Nathan Herschell, Lawrence, KS.
In 1980, Bill and his family moved to Jeddah, Saudia Arabia where he was an aircraft welder for TWA American Contractors. The family returned to Frankfort in 1984. Bill farmed for a few years before the family moved to Lawrence, KS in 1988. He was employed by AeroQuip then E&E Display until retirement, and later he was a delivery driver for Advanced Auto Parts to stay busy.
Bill was always there to love and help his family in whatever they needed. He especially loved making family memories with his wife, children, and his two favorite grandsons. He enjoyed many family trips, daily outings, family dinners, parties and family game nights. He made many cherished memories while taking his grandsons to daycare and school when they were little. He made lots of memories with his nieces and nephews as well. Bill built a strong legacy for his family to cherish forever. May he rest in peace.
Preceding him in death was his parents, John and Marie Wapp; sisters, Eleanor Coe, Mary Schreiner; brothers, Edward, John Jr., Arthur, and Joseph; and nephews, Richard Wapp and Mark Coe. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, his son and daughters, grandsons, and many nieces and nephews.
A prayer service will be held on December 9, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Annunciation Catholic Church, Frankfort, KS with lunch to follow in the Cigna Center. Cremation is planned. Memorials may be made to “Wounded Warriors” and condolencences to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, Lawrence, KS
