William L. Barber

OBITUARY: William Lee "Billy" Barber
William Lee "Billy" Barber, 56, Topeka, member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, named by his tribe "Ob-mes-seh" died Mon., Dec. 6, 2010. He was born May 14, 1954, in Sioux Falls, SD, the son of Willis L. and Julia Ann (Cook) Barber. He grew up in Holton and graduated from Holton High School. Billy played collegiate basketball for a year before joining Iron Workers Local Union # 10 in Kansas City, MO. He was an Iron Worker for 34 years before retiring in July, 2009. He was married to Michelle R. (Gillgannon) Johnson on June 1, 1992, in Topeka. She survives of the home. Also surviving are 2 sons: Travis Barber of Muskogee, OK, and Ian Barber of Paxico; a step-son: Curtis Johnson of KC, MO; 2 step-daughters: Sarah Johnson of Charleston, SC, and Crystal Johnson of Hilton Head, SC; his mother: Julia "June" Barber of Delia; 3 brothers: Jeff, Tony, and Dwayne Barber all of Delia; 3 sisters: Emily Aitkens and Nancy Counts both of Mayetta, and Lori Molina of Delia; and a grandson. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Fri., Dec. 10, 2010, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave., Topeka. Interment in Prairie Home Cemetery. Billy will lie in state after 4:00 PM, Thurs., at the funeral chapel where the family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Billy Barber Memorial Fund c/o Quest (Rubber Workers) Credit Union, 2636 NW U.S. Hwy 24, Topeka, KS 66618.