Birth4-23-1932, Horton, Brown County, Kansas, USA
Death3-26-2008, Overland Park, Johnson County, Kansas, USA Age: 75
BurialPleasant Hill Cemetery, Leona, Doniphan County, Kansas, USA
Spouses
Birth12-4-1936, Leona, Doniphan County, Kansas, USA
Death9-4-2003, Overland Park, Johnson County, Kansas, USA Age: 66
BurialPleasant Hill Cemetery, Leona, Doniphan County, Kansas, USA
ChildrenCraig
Terry
Scott
Notes for William Neil Park
Was in the service (Navy?).
NOTES BY UNCLE FRED:
William Neil Park was born April 23, 1932 at Horton, Brown County, Kansas. He was the son of Samuel Asa Park and Bessie Berniece Boatwright. He lived for a few years near Denton, Kansas but spent most of his life in Leona, Doniphan County, Kansas.
He graduated from Leona High School and then from the Highland Community College at Highland, Kansas.
Neil was in the Naval Reserve and then spent two years on active duty. He was stationed in San Francisco, California and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He also spent quite a bit of time in the waterways of China.
Neil married Bonnie June Knecht on May 12, 1954 at the Leona Community Church. Together they had four children: Craig Douglas, Terry Lynn, Debra Sue and Scott Bradley.
In 1977, Neil moved with his family from Robinson to Olathe and then to Prairie Village, Kansas several years later.
Neil was a carpenter and worked for several companies. He worked for Shamrock Cabinet Company before he retired in 1997.
Neil enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was always happy.
Neil died on March 26, 2008 at the Overland Park Regional Hospital. He was cremated and his ashes were buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, north of Leona.
OBITUARY
WILLIAM "NEIL" PARK
William Neil Park, 75, passed away March 26, 2008 at Overland Park Regional. He was a resident of Overland Park Nursing Center since 2003. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 10, 2008 at the funeral home.
Neil was born April 23, 1932 in Horton, KS. He married Bonnie J. Knecht on May 12, 1954, who preceded him in death in 2003. He graduated from Leona High School and attended Highland Jr. College. Neil was a Navy veteran. He spent many years in the construction and carpentry business and retired from Shamrock Cabinet Company in 1997. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and had many hobbies.
He is survived by three sons, Craig (Sonia) Westminister, Co., Terry (Vanessa) Merriam, KS, Scott(Vickie) Northglenn, Co., and one daughter Debra Park, Littleton, Co and nine grandchildren. Neil will be missed by all of his family and friends. (Charter Funerals 816 913-5555)
NOTES BY DEBRA PARK:
Dad was born in the Hospital in Horton, Kansas but his parents were actually living in Denton, Kansas at the time of his birth.
According to his Birth Certificate, he was born on Saturday, April 23rd, 1932 at 4:21 A.M. and weighed 6 lbs. 11 3/4 ounces.
One of the Newspaper articles about Dad & Mom's engagement states that Mom was a full time student at Leona High School and working at the Leona Telephone Office at the time of their engagement and that Dad was employed at The Winchester Hardware store in Denton, Kansas and in the Naval Reserve at the time of their engagement.
Dad & Mom were married on Wednesday, May 12, 1954 at 8:00 in the evening at the Community Church in Leona, Kansas. Their Wedding Reception was held in the Auditorium of the Leona High School.
Dad was known as "Billy Neil" or "Willie" when he was younger.
Dad entered the US Navy in 1951 and was honorably discharged in 1955 having served in San Francisco Hawaii, Korea, Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines. His ship was the USS Current.
Dad had a Radio and T.V. repair shop on Main Street in Highland, Kansas. It was located on the North side of the street and just East of the Ukena Hardware Store.
Dad worked at Rick's Antique Auto Parts in Kansas City, Kansas from approximately 1979 to approximately 1988.
After my brothers were married and started having children, Dad built each of them a rocking cradle by hand. They are now being used by his grandchildren for their children.
Notes for Bonnie June (Spouse 1)
NOTES BY UNCLE FRED:
Bonnie June Knecht was born on December 4, 1936 at Leona, Doniphan County, Kansas. She was the daughter of Lloyd Christian Knecht and Marjorie Mildred Kienzle Knecht.
In 1942, she moved with her family to Detroit, Michigan. While in Detroit, she learned how to tap dance and ice skate. She attended Cooper Grade School while there. When the family returned to Leona in 1948, after WWII, she completed her elementary and high school education at Leona.
Bonnie married William Neil Park on May 12, 1954 at the Leona Community Church. Together they had four children: Craig Douglas, Terry Lynn, Debra Sue and Scott Bradley.
Bonnie was a hairdresser and operated her own business for many years.
In 1977 Bonnie and her family moved from Robinson to Olathe, Kansas and then to Prairie Village, Kansas several years later.
Bonnie had a strong belief in God and devoted many hours to her son's ministry in Kansas City. She was a gracious, giving person and enjoyed being near her family, particularly her grandchildren.
Bonnie suffered from diabetes most of her life. As a result of this disease, she became blind, had heart problems and had her leg amputated at the knee. However, she never lost her faith and was joyful to the end.
Bonnie died on September 4, 2003 at the Overland Park Manor nursing home, Overland Park, Kansas. She was cremated and her ashes were buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, north of Leona, Kansas.
OBITUARY
BONNIE J. PARK
Bonnie J. Park, 66, of Overland Park, KS, passed away Thursday, September 4, 2003 at the Overland Park Manor nursing home.
She was born December 4, 1936 in Leona, KS to Lloyd C. Knecht and Marjorie M. [Kienzle] Knecht, who preceded her in death.
Survivors include her husband of 49 years, William "Neil" Park of Overland Park, KS; three sons, Craig Park, Terry Park, Scott Park; one daughter, Debra Park; two brothers, Fred W.Knecht and Lloyd L. Knecht; one sister, Betty Bailes; nine grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Park was cremated and a memorial service was held on September 8, 2003 at Charter Funeral Home in Merriam, KS.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Odyssey Health Care, 9229 Ward Parkway, Suite 350, K.C., Mo. 64114 or to the American Diabetic Association, 10580 Barkley, Suite 400, Overland Park, KS 66202.
Arrangements were made by Charter Funeral Home.
NOTES BY DEBRA PARK:
Mom was born in her parents home in Leona, Kansas. According to her Certificate of Birth, she was born on December 4th, 1936 at 11:20 A.M. (no weight was given. It would have been a Friday)
One of the Newspaper articles about Dad & Mom's engagement states that Mom was a full time student at Leona High School and working at the Leona Telephone Office at the time of their engagement and that Dad was employed at The Winchester Hardware store in Denton, Kansas and was in the Naval Reserve at the time of their engagement.
Dad & Mom were married on Wednesday, May 12, 1954 at 8:00 in the evening at the Community Church in Leona, Kansas. Their Wedding Reception was held in the Auditorium of the Leona High School.