DODGE CITY - William Jacob (Bill) Austen, 76, died Thursday, July 30, 2009 at Western Plains Medical Complex in Dodge City. He was born on April 22, 1933 at Wichita the son of George L. and Dora (Paulsen) Austen.

He grew up in Arkansas City, Kansas, graduated from Ark City High School and attended Cowley County Community College. He served in the Army during the Korean War after which he returned to Kansas. Bill attended Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia where he met his future wife, Ada Jonelle Kinnamon. They were married on January 25, 1958 at Montezuma and after a short stay in Ark City, settled in Dodge City in 1959. He later obtained his Bachelors degree from St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City in 1975.

Bill worked in law enforcement for most of his life starting as a desk sergeant with the DCPD under Ramon K. House in 1961 and later moved to the Ford County Sheriff's Office under Richard A. Wolfe. He later worked as Juvenile Officer for Ford County and when the court systems unified, he became the first Director of Court Services over six counties for the State of Kansas. He served in that position until he retired in 1998. Bill was very active with Dodge City Roundup Rodeo serving as president in 1991 & 1992 and more recently as Vice- President. For 25 years he operated the calf roping chute at the rodeo. Bill served on the Board of Trustees of Dodge City Community College for a number of years and just recently finished serving as the chairman of the board. He served as the Executive Secretary for the Dodge City Cowboy Band for 27 years up until his death. Bill was an active member of the First United Methodist Church. Mr. & Mrs. Austen enjoyed being active in the lives of their three children and three grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his wife, Jo Austen of the home; son, Doug Austen of Colorado Springs, Colorado; two daughters, Kelly Scarrow and husband Kevin of Shawnee and Jill Smith and husband Grant of Magnolia, Texas; grandson, Marshall Smith of Magnolia, Texas; two granddaughters, Baylee Smith of Magnolia, Texas and Becky Plummer and husband Chad of Manhattan; sister, Georgiann Clark and husband Clinton of Wichita. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Charles Ferrell; brother-in-law, Donald G. Long and nephew, Anthony A. Long.

Funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church on Monday, August 3, 2009 at 10:00 AM with Rev. Lance Carrithers presiding. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Sunday, August 2, 2009 from Noon to 6:00 PM with the family receiving friends from Noon to 2:00 PM. Memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church or Dodge City Roundup both in care of the funeral home. Personal Condolences may be left at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.