William "Bill" Duane Herman, 78, died from complications of Parkinson's disease Aug. 22, 2026, at Manor of the Plains in Dodge City. Herman was born July 2, 1948, in McPherson.

He graduated from Dodge City High School in 1966 and subsequently completed technical college courses in heavy machinery. He worked as a carpenter in construction for many years in locations across the country, during which time he became an expert navigator who could recall optimal driving routes decades later without consulting a map.

Herman adored his mother, Edith, and they enjoyed traveling across the country together. He lived with and cared for her for many years in Wichita.Herman lived with his partner, Patrice White, for 22 years in Dodge City. They shared a love of country music concerts, travel to the Southwest, and most of all, animals. Herman helped White care for two horses, chickens, ducks, and many special cats and dogs.Herman was a skilled woodworker and artist who crafted many pieces of furniture and hand-carved wall hangings, and he enjoyed gifting them to loved ones. Herman handmade replicas of Native American drums and showed and sold them at events where he met tribal leaders. Additionally, he grew and propagated cacti, gifting them freely.

Herman is survived by his partner, Patrice White; two children, Andy and Sara Gibson; three grandchildren, Derek, Devin, and Daniel Jurado; and two great-grandchildren, Giovanni and Jordyn Jurado; son-in-law, David Lee Jurado Sr.; and his son-in-law's mother, Mary Jurado; White's three children, Cameron (Alex) Brown, Tara (Justin) From, and Byron (Megan) White; and White's seven grandchildren, Dagny, Briley, and Easton Brown; Rowdy and Rocky From; and Kaleigh and Jackson White; Herman was preceded in death by his father, Duane Herman; mother, Edith Louise (Frye) Herman; daughter, Stacey Ann Herman Jurado; grandson, David Lee Jurado II; and White's granddaughter Diega From.

A graveside service will be at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City. Following the burial, a Memorial Service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, September 25, 2026 at the First United Methodist Church of Dodge City, with the Rev. Juan Espinoza presiding. Lunch will follow at the church. All are welcome to attend any portion of the services.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to William D. Herman Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home or GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/ac89f0300. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guestbook at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.