William Naylor

William J (Bill) Naylor, 80, passed away on December 26, 2005 at Midland Hospice, Topeka,Ks. He was born August 1, 1925, on a farm/ranch at Arvonia , Ks in Osage County. He was the son of James and Fannie Smith Naylor. Bill graduated in 1943 from Lebo High School at Lebo Kansas. After graduation he went to Emporia Kansas to drive a truck for Trusler Behimer until enlisting into the Army Air Corp in September 1943. He served as a flight engineer on a B-24 Bomber. Following his discharge in March 1946, he was married to Mary Ann Reese on December 24, 1946.

Bill went to work for Crimble's Woodworking shop in Emporia, Kansas until 1948, when he went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad in Emporia and Chanute Kansas. He continued to work part-time as a cabinet builder and carpenter. In February 1960 he transferred to the Santa Fe Shops in Topeka Kansas and retired in 1980.

He served as the woodworking leader for Decker 4-H for thirteen years. In 1977 he joined the Combat Air Museum and was an active member until his illness in 2002. Bill was also a 50-year member of the Masons, joining Masonic Lodge #12 in 1952 at Emporia Kansas and later transferring his membership to the Albert Neese Lodge #248, Tecumseh, Kansas. He was a member of the Shawnee Heights United Methodist Church.

A daughter Wilma Naylor, Eldon, MO, and two sons, Tom Naylor and his wife, Gail, Topeka Kansas and M/Sgt Gary Naylor and his wife Susan, Hampton, VA, survive Bill. Three grandsons and four granddaughters survive, Chris Starkey and his wife Mindy, Lebanon, MO, Brett Naylor, Austin TX, and Brandon Naylor, Lawrence, KS, Megan Ann (Schuh) Horton and husband SPC Daniel Horton, Ft Campbell, KY, Desiree, Patricia, and Rachel Naylor of Hampton, VA. Five great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters survive, Justin Starkey, Wamego KS, Austin and Bronson Starkey, Lebanon, MO, Haley Evins, Wamego, KS, and David, Andy and Paige Horton, Ft Campbell KY.

Three sisters survive, Mae Naylor Richardson and her husband Jack, Midge Naylor Pagan, Jean (Jessie) Naylor Hollern and her husband Chuck all of Emporia KS. He was also survived by several nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by one son, James Phillip Naylor, one grandson, William (Bill) John Starkey, Three brothers Bob Naylor, Henry (Hank) Naylor, and Ervan (Bud) Naylor.

Services to be held at 9:00 a.m. Thursday December 29th at the Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel 245 NW Independence Topeka, KS with graveside services to be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Maple Wood Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Emporia KS. Mr. Naylor will lie in state after 12:00 noon Wednesday and the family will greet friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Combat Air Museum at Forbes Field, 6700 SW Topeka Blvd, Topeka, KS 66619, Shawnee Heights United Methodist Church, 6020 SE 44th Street, Tecumseh, KS 66542 or Alzheimer's Association, 515 S. Kansas Avneue B-2, Topeka, KS 66603. To leave a special message for the family please visit www.PenwellGabel.com.