WILLIAM C. "Bill" ECKLES

DODGE CITY: William C. "Bill" Eckles, 65, died on August 26, 2010 at Kansas City, Missouri. He was born on September 10, 1944 in Dodge City, the son of Jack E. and Anna Marie Eckles. Bill loved flying and was a flight instructor with American Flyers in Ardmore, Oklahoma, before returning to Dodge City to help his father at Eckles Department Store. Since then he and his family lived in El Paso, Texas and Lawrence, Kansas. A private memorial service was held on August 28, 2010 in Kansas City.

Survivors include his wife Cheryl Eckles of Lawrence; two sons, Kent Eckles of Olathe, and Matt Eckles of Mission Woods; a daughter Christy Walters of Rushville, Indiana; his mother Anna Marie Eckles of Dodge City; a brother Jeff Eckles of Dodge City; a sister Amy Hu of Dodge City; and six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father in 2003.

A memorial service will be held at Swaim Funeral Home, Dodge City on Friday, September 10, 2010 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Dennis Zimmerman officiating. Cremation has taken place. Friends may sign the guest book at the funeral home on Thursday, September 9, 2010 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. On final approach, runway in sight, flaps down, gear down, green light! Life eternal on a mountain top near Medicine Bow, Wyoming. The family would welcome memorials to Operation Smile ( an organization dear to Bill's heart. His grandson "Billy" was born with a cleft palate. Donations to Operation Smile go for surgeries for children in other countries where they are shunned.) or to Kansas City Hospice House & Palliative Care, both in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.