Harold Allen Piper, 82, died July 20 at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. Born July 11, 1929 in Great Bend, he was the son of James Jacob and Helen Ann (Tucker) Piper. On April 16, 1948 he married Shirley Ruth Young in Honolulu, Hawaii. She died Aug. 10, 2002. A resident of Great Bend since 1962, coming from Pratt, he worked in the oilfield and was a self-employed carpenter. He enjoyed woodworking and fishing.

Mr. Piper was a United States Navy veteran, earning the presidential unit citation and the World War II Victory Medal. He attended King Memorial United Methodist Church in Great Bend. He was a member of the American Legion Argonne Post 180, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 311, Elks Lodge, and Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Survivors include three daughters, Katharine Piper and Stephanie Jacobs and husband Dave, both of Great Bend, and Sally McGuire and husband Mike of Arlington, Texas; a brother, Ron Piper of Missouri City, Texas; eight grandchildren, Hollie Harden, Cheryl Harvey, Jacob Belford, Christine Draney, Sarah Piper, Peter Westerman, Amy Piper, and Thomas Westerman; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Shawn Piper; a daughter, Ann Lawrence; two brothers, John Piper and Bill Piper; and a sister, Mildred McGeorge.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Bryant Funeral Home with the Rev. William F. Johnson officiating. Burial will be at the Great Bend Cemetery with graveside rites by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Friends may visit from noon to 9 p.m., with family present from 7 to 8 p.m., today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Great Bend Zoo in care of the funeral home. 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, July 22, 2011