SUN CITY WEST, Ariz. — William C. “Bill” Hafeman was born March 24, 1927 on the family farm near Beaver, Kan. and passed on April 12, 2021 at the age of 94.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Jane of 63 years; his only son, Wm. Mark Hafeman of Glendale, Calif. Bill was preceded in death by two brothers, Gerald and Gene; four sisters, Marjorie Dilley, Geraldine Purma, Donna Consoli and Patricia Henry; and his parents Bill and Ann Hafeman.  

He attended one year at St. Benedict’s College and then entered the U.S. Merchant Marine for two years at the end of the Second World War. Upon returning, Bill attended St. Benedict’s College and Wichita State University from which he graduated with a degree in Petroleum Geology in 1950.

Immediately after graduation, at the beginning of the Korean War, Bill enlisted in naval flight training and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in Marine Corps aviation. He flew prop planes, dive bombers, and jets. He flew off a naval carrier near the Korean coast at the end of the war. Bill stayed in the Reserves and holds the rank of Captain. 

Bill worked as a geologist for Lyon Oil Company, a division of Monsanto Chemical Corp in Salt Lake City, Utah. He worked for Lyon for five years until he started a geological consulting company, Black Dahlia Oil & Gas which he still operates today. When the price of oil dipped and oil development came to a halt, Bill became a Utah state licensed builder and built a number of up-scale homes. A nice fit for oil dips. 

In 1958, Bill met his wife Wayona Jane and they spent 63 years together. Their only son Mark was born in 1960. 

Twenty-seven years ago Bill and Jane moved to Sun City West, Ariz. where they became activists and played a key role in ensuring that the area maintained high community standards. Later, Bill became a Director of Planning and Zoning and Governmental Affairs at PORA, a Property Owner’s and Residents Association at Sun City West.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 16, 2021