Billy L. Kraus, 91, of Alta Vista passed away peacefully on Monday, March 10th, 2021 at the Diversicare home in Council Grove. Born on the farm September 17, 1929 to Walter and Laura (Litke) Kraus, Bill attended rural Beman grade school and graduated from Alta Vista High. After graduation Bill remained on the farm until joining the Army where he served his country for 2 years as Corporal in Korea. Bill was a member of the American Legion Post #11 for sixty-nine years.
On June 18th, 1954 Bill married Lois E. Copeland. They were blessed with three wonderful children, Connie Fisher, Council Grove; Becky Bowen and husband Marc of Alta Vista; and Bruce Kraus and wife Dawn (Shelli) Kraus also of Alta Vista. Bill is also survived by six grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, and a host of friends of all ages. Bill and Lois raised their family on a farm they bought just up the road from Bill’s home where he could also continue to help his dad work the fields. In 1966, Bill went to work for the local U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, retiring from that position in December 1987.
Preceding him in death was his wife of 64 years, Lois Kraus, his parents, Walter and Laura (Litke) Kraus and his brother, Kenneth E Kraus.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, March 19th, at 11:00 a.m. at the Prairie View Cemetery, next to Emanuel Church, rural Alta Vista. There will be no visitation or funeral service held. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or online at www.woundedwarriorsproject.org.