Billie “Bill” Damon Engstrom, 67, rural Fredonia, died Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011 at Heritage Health Care in Chanute, following a long battle with cancer. Bill was born Oct. 21, 1943 in Fredonia. He was the second of five sons of Roy Edwin and Wanda Mae Speaks Engstrom, rural Coyville. He began school at the age of four, attending rural Liberty School from 1st to 4th grade. He then attended school at Coyville, graduating from Coyville High School in 1961. While at Coyville High School he lettered in basketball and baseball. He was also vice president of his senior class. After graduation he received a basketball scholarship to attend Neosho County Community College.

On March 1, 1964 Bill married Karen Alberta Johnson at the Pilgrim Holiness Church in Fredonia. Their first home was in Fredonia where he worked at Taylormade Industries in Fredonia. Six months after marriage Taylormade Company moved to Newton. Bill worked a month in Newton with the Taylormade Company. He then got a job at the Cessna Plant and they moved to Wichita for six months. Not fond of it there, Bill left the job at Cessna and moved back to Fredonia. He worked for Kansas Banknote before being employed by General Portland Cement Company until retirement in December of 2002 after serving for 34 years. After retirement he was a bus driver for the Fredonia USD 484 School district.

No matter whom Bill met he always had a smile on his face, his smile inspired many people over the years. Bill enjoyed going to all sporting events and watching his grandkids play sports. He loved being in the outdoors especially fishing for catfish and deer hunting, he also adored working on the farm with his cattle, and helping others with their cattle. Bill was a member of International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers, & Helpers, AFl-CIO, he served as Secretary/Treasurer of Union Local D75 Brotherhood of Boilermakers. Member of Kansas Nut Growers Association. Where he served on the board of Directors, Vice President, and President. Member of Board of Directors on Caley Cemetery Board #39, Wilson County. Member of Wilson County Conservation Association, Member of Kansas Livestock Association

Bill is survived by his wife, Fredonia: Wife; Karen Engstrom, Fredonia, children, Cheryl LaShawn Hendricks and husband, Dale, Temple, Texas, Stacy Engstrom and wife, Valerie, Erie; grandchildren, Kyle Engstrom, Erie, Kendra Engstrom, Erie,

K J Hendricks, Arlington, Texas; brothers, Larry Engstrom and wife, Donna, Fredonia, Gerald Engstrom and wife, Linda, Fort Scott, Jim Engstrom and wife, Valerie, Phillip Engstrom and wife, Debra, Fort Scott.

Per Bill’s wishes cremation has taken place. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11. at the Calvary Wesleyan Church, in Fredonia, with the Rev. Loren Rovenstine officiating. A celebration will follow the service. Private burial will occur at a later time with family only. Visitation will be held Thursday from 6-7:30 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the Coyville Community Center and may be left with the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com.