Linn County News
Published Oct. 13, 2021
On Oct. 6, 2021, William Dean “Bill” Potter, Pittsburg, Kan., moved to eternal rest from the family home where he was lovingly cared for by his daughter and wife. Bill was born on Nov. 30, 1946, to Orville and Virginia Potter in Columbus, Kan. He grew up on the family farm where he learned the value of hard work and sacrifice from his mother and stepfather, Raymond Simpson.
Bill graduated from Columbus High School in 1964 and went on to complete electrical trade school at Kansas State College of Pittsburg. He completed additional college instruction at Pittsburg and Washburn University in Topeka. He was a master electrician and learned all things related to construction through his job experiences. He worked for Masonite for 18 years, retiring in 2006. His daughter was known to say “my dad can build anything.” He was both creative and talented, taking pride in building things that were unique and would last.
Bill joined the army in 1968, and served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a Staff Sergeant Special Forces Pathfinder where he was awarded a purple heart, two silver stars and four bronze stars among other citations. He was a paratrooper, sharpshooter and served as a jump instructor at the U.S. Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. On March 12, 1976, he was united in marriage to Deborah Post. She survives of the home.
Bill loved all things in nature especially his birds, dogs and faithful cats. He built structures for their comfort and protection and often tried to convince his wife to let them move into the home.
Bill was a private man who didn’t like personal attention but was very public in his confession to Christ. He was baptized into the Christian faith on Dec. 8, 2019.
Bill is survived by his wife, Debbie; daughter, Alicia Burk (Bob) of Pittsburg, Kan.; brothers, Bob Potter (Kathy) of Kansas City, and Derris Simpson (Cheryl) of Weir, Kan.; nephews, Darreld (Laura) Simpson of Weir, Kan., Matt Simpson (Spring), Richard Potter (Holly), and Mike Potter (Holly); special in-laws, Greg and Sandy Post of Mapleton; and friends who he regarded as family, Phil and Diana Carter, Phil and Sherry Jagels, Judy and Dale Dufrene, Anna Kinghorne, Connie Stewart and many others.
A memorial service was held on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, at the Countryside Christian Church with Pastor Jim Frech officiating. Private family burial will take place at a later date at Mapleton Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be made to Countryside Christian Church or the SEK Interlocal Foundation. In consideration for others, the family asks that friends and family adhere to the covid-19 safety protocols while participating in the services. The service will be live streamed on the following website, brennermortuary.com, through William’s obituary page. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg.
OBITUARIES
Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025

Linn County News Published July 23, 2025 Jean Driskell, age 82, formerly of La Cygne, Kan., passed away Friday, July 18, 2025. Memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne Chapel. Visitation... [More]
Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Burton Clyde Brownback, age 72, Tri-Ko resident in Osawatomie, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025. He was born on May 21, 1953, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Clyde and Shirley Drake Brownback. He graduated from Prairie View... [More]
Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Ruth Ann Antrim, formerly Hueston, passed away July 7, 2025, after bravely battling cancer for many years. Ruth Ann was 74 years old. She lived and worked in the Mound City and Fort Scott, Kan., areas her... [More]
More Obituaries
- Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025
- Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025
- Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025
- Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025
- Jackie Junior “Jack” Hewitt ~ 07-17-1935 to 06-18-2025
- Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025
- Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025
- Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025
NEWS
Special: Resurfacing to begin on U.S. 69 in Linn County

A Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) resurfacing project on U.S. 69 in Linn County will begin the week of July 28. The project will resurface U.S. 69 with ultrathin bonded asphalt for just over 7 miles from Pleasanton to just north of... [More]
Pleasanton FD again at center of heated discussion

The majority of heated discussion came at the end of the Pleasanton City Council meeting Monday night during council discussion when Council people Bill Skipper and Angelina Randall squared off concerning the recent ISO inspection that occurred at the fire department. Skipper... [More]
La Cygne city to be below revenue neutral

Ad valorem revenue will decrease by almost $16,600, levy by over 7.6 mills The city of La Cygne will not only be revenue neutral but actually below neutral on its 2026 municipal budget. That was the report from Jodi Wade, city clerk, at last Wednesday’s regular... [More]
More News
- USD 362 files revenue-neutral exceedances
- Commissioners discuss airport future, request more information
- SPECIAL: Resurfacing on U.S. 59 in Anderson County to begin in August 4
- Commissioners vote to exceed revenue neutral
- Mulberry Limestone CUP approved by P & Z
- SPECIAL: Benefits question an issue for county employees
- Commissioners discuss various budgets
- City learns of fire gear condition
SPORTS
Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

Eight members of the Pleasanton Trapshooting Team traveled to Mason, Mich., last week to compete in the USA Clay Target League National Championship. Five members participated in the team event, and all eight competed individually. The team was among 264 qualified teams competing... [More]
Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest

The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team 1 places second at the TRL girls’ coach pitch tournament at Colony. The tournament took place from July 7 to July 9.
More Sports
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
- Gratton at Nationals
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
- Prairie View trapshooting competes at State
OBITUARIES POLICY
• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
• Must be received by 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning in order to appear in that week's edition.
• Obituaries submitted by funeral homes will be billed to the funeral home.
• Full obituaries submitted by individuals are required to be paid in advance.
• Cost: $40 for 300 words or less. Each additional word over 300, 10¢. Photograph $5.
Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

