William Franklin Redburn 1932 - 2009

William Franklin Redburn, 76, died at Rice County Hospital in Lyons on Sept. 21 after a short illness. He was born in Tiffin, Mo., on Nov. 22, 1932, to Edward James (Tillery) and Clara Lucretia (Cooper) Redburn. Known as Bill throughout his life, he officially changed his name from Richard to William. He was a graduate of Nevada (Mo.) High School, where he met his wife, Jo Anne Ford. They married in 1955. As a result of his Korean-era U.S. Air Force service, Bill was an air traffic controller for the Federal Aviation Administration and retired in 1994.

Bill is survived by his wife, Jo; two daughters, Cheryl Anne Lippert, Great Bend, and Cynthia Raeleen Schmidt, Reston, Va.; and two grandchildren, Ian Michael Lippert and Jessie Rose Lippert. Surviving siblings are Mildred Jacobs, Nevada, Mo., Verna Holden Hughs, Tucson, Ariz., and John, of El Dorado, Mo. Preceding him in death were siblings Calvin, Marvin, Robert, Evelyn Watkins, Wanda Benskin and Anna Benskin.

Close family members did as Bill requested and scattered his ashes at the Great Bend Airport on Sept. 23 in a wonderful remembrance celebration. Jo will reside in Great Bend. Any memorials are requested to go to Great Bend Pilots Fly In Fund, Airport Manager, P.O. Box 1168, Great Bend, KS 67530.

Many thanks to the hospital personnel, Dr. Tobias and Hospice nurses as well as the Great Bend Airport manager.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 19, 2009#