Billy Joe Stanley, 83, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on December 22, 2025. He was born on November 8, 1942, in McPherson, Kansas, to Joe and Willene (Mahan) Stanley. He was raised in Great Bend, Kansas, where he attended school and graduated from Great Bend High School in 1960. Bill married his teenage sweetheart and the love of his life, Marie Ann Roach, on August 27, 1960, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church while home on leave from boot camp. They were together just one week shy of 69 years and shared more than 65 years of marriage - a beautiful and rare example of devotion, loyalty, and enduring love.
Bill proudly served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam era aboard the USS Arnold J. Isabell and the USS Procyon, attaining the rank of Third-Class Machinist mate. He was a deeply proud American patriot; steadfast, grateful, and respectful of service and sacrifice. Bill loved people, and people loved Bill. He was the most gentle, kind, and steady man any of us ever knew. He had a special way of making everyone feel welcome, important, and deeply valued. He never sought recognition - his kindness, humility, and integrity spoke for him.
Professionally, Bill was a founding partner of Paragon Medical Services, an autoclave sterilizer production and service company originally founded in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, and later relocated to Great Bend. It was often said that Bill Stanley could troubleshoot an autoclave over the phone faster and better than anyone could in person! He later founded Service-Rite Medical, Inc., in Great Bend, which is now owned and operated by his son, Darren. Bill built his career through hard work, skill, and honesty, and despite his international success, remained the most humble man any of us ever knew.
Bill also left a lasting mark on his community in a quieter, more symbolic way. In the 1970s, he built the lighted star that sat atop CKMC - a beacon many in Great Bend came to recognize and cherish. To Bill, it was simply something that needed to be done. To those who knew him, it reflected exactly who he was: patient, skilled, generous, and always willing to bring light where he could. He also built another star for his mother-in-law’s home - Hart’s Corner, again using his hands and talents to brighten lives of those he loved.
Bill and Marie adopted three children from three different families – Richard Stanley, Darren (BJ) Stanley and Jan (Bryon) Morton. They all had their own personalities, but Bill loved them all equally. Adoption was never a footnote in their home; it was a gift, a choice, and a source of deep pride! Their children never felt anything but wanted, chosen, cherished, and unconditionally loved. Bill and Marie Stanley were their parents - present, protective, proud, and devoted.
Later in life, Bill stepped into another parenting role with the same quiet commitment. Alongside Marie, they raised their grandson Joel, showing up each day as a steady presence, teacher, and protector. To Bill, Joel was another one of his children and to Joel, Bill was his Dad. What that relationship meant to Bill, and to his family, cannot be put into words. In every sense of the word, Joel was Bill’s son, he survives along with Kris, who both moved our parents in, and nursed dad in his final days.
Bill is also survived by his grandchildren, whom he adored: Cordell Stanley, Corbin Stanley, Blake Stanley, Karlie (Brad) Lightfoot, Jaxson Stanley; Laken Shelor, and his great-grandchildren; Alexis Shelor, MaKenna Shelor, Olivia Halatek, Nova Lee Brand, Bradley Halatek, Patrick Lane, Boston Lightfoot, with another baby Lightfoot on the way. Bill also had one great-great granddaughter that he adored, Ember Jean and Nathan Stanley. Plus, many friends, Dirk, Carroll, Bill, Jewell and so many others we cannot possibly name them all.
Bill was preceded in death by his sisters, JoAn Thomas and Deloris Herrman; stepbrother, Gary Pickerill; dear cousin Earlene (Christiansen) Davenport; most notably, his best friend and lifelong fishing partner, Tom Herrman.
Bill loved fishing, playing pinochle and dominoes, watching his Dallas Cowboys, and spending time with his family. His family was his greatest joy, and he loved them fiercely and unconditionally!
Bill Stanley leaves behind a legacy of kindness, humility, service, and love. He set the standard for what it means to be a good man and a true father. The world is gentler because he was in it, and all of us are better for having known and loved him.
In keeping with Bill’s wishes and the way he lived his life, all who attend his service are encouraged to dress casually. Bill was never one for formality, he cared far more about people being comfortable and themselves. He loved his Dallas Cowboys, Kansas Jayhawks, walleye, and striper fishing, and family and friends are warmly invited to wear attire that reflects those passions if they wish. Bill would have loved that.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Bryant Funeral Home with Father Prakash Kola presiding. Visitation will be available from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, December 26, 2025, with family receiving guests from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been designated to Golden Belt Humane Society, to benefit Adopt-a-pet, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.
Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Dec. 27, 2025
