William D. Witcraft, 87, of Great Bend, died Nov. 26 at Great Bend Regional Hospital. Born April 21, 1924, in Fairfax, Okla., he was the son of Chauncey and Mattie Smith Witcraft. He married Marian McAfee. They later divorced. He then married Betty Schiewe. She died in July of 2009. A long-time resident of Barton County, he was a retired oilfield perforator. He enjoyed playing golf.

Mr. Witcraft was graduate of the Merchant Marine Academy, serving on numerous ships during World War II in the Atlantic, Pacific and Mediterranean-Middle East war zones. He was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, both in Great Bend.

Survivors include a son, William Paul Witcraft and wife Carol, of Kansas City, Mo.; two daughters, Debra Witcraft of Ellinwood and Pamela Witcraft of Sheridan, Wyo.; and a brother, Donald and Ruby Witcraft, of Chandler, Ariz.

No services are planned. The body was cremated. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association.