William "Bill" Mace Jr.

Born on June 17, 1925 in Coffeyville, Kansas, Bill enjoyed telling people he was from the home of the Dalton brother bank robbers as well other historical happenings, personal and otherwise. Some of us heard those stories over and over and over and over (get the picture?) as well as many other interesting tales he had to tell over and over and over, again, never mind.

At the time of his death, Bill was the only "Mace" family member "still on top of the grass" as was his way of putting it and he wanted to stay there right up until the end.

Bill proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945 aboard the Navy Supply ship Henry O Gant, Bill was a Gunners Mate. Returning home after the war, he married his sweetheart Jacqulyn, "Jackie" who he now joins on the other side. Jacqulyn died in 1994. Bill's father, William Mace Sr. was Native American Cherokee Indian. Sr. attended Haskell University in Lawrence, Kansas which made Bill proud to himself being of Cherokee Indian descent.

In their early years of marriage, Bill and Jacqulyn adopted a beautiful little girl, Ann, who lived into adulthood but died sadly at an early age.

Bill was a graduate of Coffeyville Community Jr. College, a proud "Red Raven", where he excelled in sports, was the first All American in football from Coffeyville, then he graduated from Kansas University "as a very proud Jayhawk" with honorable mention in football. After graduation, Bill went into teaching History and coaching football and basketball along with his best friend, teacher and coach, Ralph E. Dennis.

Bill taught history a couple of years at Burlington, Kansas and then taught History and coached at Olathe's old John P. St. John High School, then the original Olathe North High School for over eight years. He left an indelible mark on his students and especially athletes he coached.

When Bill retired from teaching, he went into his own business, a liquor store in the Ranch Mart Shopping Center for years until he retired.

Bill is honored with his own monogram corner bar spot, has been for years (can you say Norm/Cheers?) at the Lenexa Kansas American Legion, where he enjoyed his visits with his fellow friends and veterans.

Bill's parents; his three brothers; daughter, Ann and wife, Jacqulyn all preceded Bill in death. Bill leaves many friends, students, athletes, fellow veterans, a raft of students he taught and coached during his teaching and coaching years, as well as his lifelong friend, Ralph E. Dennis.

At Bill's request there will be no funeral but a Celebration of Bill's life will be 4:00 pm on Saturday, December 21st at the American Legion Post #407, 9550 Pflumm Road, Lenexa, Kansas 66215.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Bill's name to the Lenexa Kansas American Legion Post #407, the Coffeyville Community Jr. College in Coffeyville, Kansas or the University of Kansas Athletic Department in Lawrence, Kansas.