William Kenneth "Bill" Colvin, 81

William Kenneth "Bill" Colvin, age 81, died Friday, March 13, 2009 at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, KS. He was born January 22, 1928 at Wichita, KS, the son of William Kemper and Clara (Radar) Colvin.

He was a Moline, KS High School graduate. He then received his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS. He served in the United States Navy from 1950-1954 during the Korean Conflict as an aerographer.

On June 12, 1954, he married Virginia Shunk at Madison, KS. She survives.

He was a salesman with Continental Emsco in Ellinwood, Pratt and Liberal from 1954-1963.

Beginning in 1962 to present time, he was the owner of High Plains Pizza. He opened the 18th Pizza Hut in the country in Liberal, KS. The business continued to grow to its' current status of 76 restaurants in 5 states.

He was a member of the Liberal Country Club, Liberal Elks Lodge #1947, Seward County Community College Booster Club, Republican Party and the International Pizza Hut Franchise Holder Association. He was inducted into the Pizza Hut Hall of Fame on April 23, 1991.

A great philanthropist, he gave much to support the Liberal community and other communities in Montana.

Other survivors include sons Kent Colvin of Liberal, KS, Mike Colvin and wife Patty of Liberal, KS, Greg Colvin and wife Elizabeth of Great Falls, MT, Tracy Colvin of Scottsdale, AZ; sister Ann Minnich and husband David of Wernersville, PA; 12 Grandchildren Kevin Colvin and wife Tanya, Kayla Johnson and husband Cody, Brett Colvin, Corey Colvin, Brandi Colvin, Alex Colvin, Brionna Colvin, Geoffrey Colvin, Alyssa Colvin, Matthew Colvin, Austin Colvin and Josh Kohler; four great-Grandchildren -Kyler Johnson, Kahne Johnson, Kendyl Johnson and William Kyle Colvin.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter - Ashley Colvin.

Funeral service were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Mar 18, at First Southern Baptist Church with Rev. Keith Bryant presiding.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the National Emphysema Foundation or the Seward County Community College Athletic Dept. in care of Kitch-Brenneman Funeral Home 1212 W. 2nd Liberal, KS 67901.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.brennemanfuneralhome.com

Charles Collins Smith, 64

Charles Collins Smith, 64, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at his home in Lakeside, Montana after a courageous 9 year battle with cancer. He was born on October 12, 1944 in Burbank, California to James Scobee and Charleen (Collins' Smith.

At the age of five, Charles moved with his family to Lancaster, CA where he began his education. In 1958 the family moved to Escalon and Charles attended, and then graduated from Ripon High School in 1962. He continued his education at Cal-Poly for three years before starting his own orchard growing Almonds.

Charles moved to the Hamilton area in 1968 where he worked as a ranch hand until 1970 when he moved to Missoula to work in construction. On June 18, 1971, Charles married Marci Dame in Missoula. They started Charles C. Smith Construction in 1974 and operated as a family business. From 1979 until 1989 Charles continued to grow the excavation business in the Stevensville area. In 1989 Charles moved his business to Lakeside when he was hired as a subcontractor on the Lakeside-Somers Sewer Main Project. Upon graduation, in 1993, his son Tanner moved to Lakeside and became his partner in the business.

Charles served as a Stevensville School Board member for 9 years as well as chairman of the board. In addition, he served on the ETNA Volunteer Fire Department. Charles was also a Master Mason with the Stevensville Masonic Lodge #28.

He enjoyed boating, camping, motorcycles, friends and especially being a proud father and grandfather.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, a brother: James Scobee Smith, Jr; and grandson: Jakob. He is survived by his son: Tanner Smith (Heather) of Kalispell, MT; a step-son: Bruce Hofmann (Laurie) of Richmond, VI; and a step-daughter: Tracy Long (Brad) of Missoula, MT; eight grandchildren: Bridger, Caeden and Addison Smith, Shealyn and Sela Hofmann, and Tiffany, Grant and Morgan Long; one sister: Judy Nickerson of Mantica, CA; and a very special friend: Julene Hartman of Kalispell.

Memorial services for Charles were held on Friday, March 20, at 2 p.m. in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel with Pastor Glenn Burfeind of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. The family suggests memorial gifts and donations be made to the Charles C. Smith Memorial Fund, PO Box 921 Lakeside, MT 59922 to assist the family with the cost of Charles extensive medical treatments.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Charles' family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Charles' guest book.