Willis Milton Naugle

Sergeant First Class, Willis Milton Naugle, 88, of Kansas City, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly, on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at his home, following the recent passing of his wife of 67 years, Gladys Lucille Naugle.

Willis was born on February 18, 1937, to Esther Mae Naugle (Griffith) and Willis Martin Naugle.

Following graduation from Fowler High School, of Fowler, Indiana, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served active duty. He went in as a private on September 29, 1955, with the famed 8th infantry, the "Golden Arrow" division of the U.S. Army in Fort Carson, Colorado.

He was part of the 45th Field Artillery Battalion, which was a famous old unit dating back to the earliest years of the U.S. The unit fought many of the nation's battles, with honor and distinction.

During his time served, Willis was a decorated Veteran, who served in the Vietnam War, and had 20 years of active duty. Willis received several medals during the Vietnam War, his tour in Korea, as well as overseas. During his first tour, he was awarded the Medal for Sharpshooter. During his second tour, he was awarded the following medals: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and a Good Conduct Bronze Bar with three bars. During his third tour he was awarded the following medals: National Defense and Vietnam Army Accommodation Medal (fourth time awarded). Additionally, during his fourth tour, he was awarded the following medals: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Navy Unit Accommodation Army Commendation Medal (IOLC), Medals of America Vietnam, NVN Camp MDL Campaign Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross of Gallantry with Palm Medal, three overseas bars, Good Conduct Medal (fifth time awarded), Consolidation I and II Award, Vietnam Counter Offensive Phase two and three, and lastly, the Vietnam Cease Fire Medal. Willis served in Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Fort Lewis, Washington; Fort Dix, New Jersey. He was also stationed at Fort Gordon twice, as well as Germany, where he was stationed in Wurzburg, Butzbach, and Mannheim. Willis retired on December 31, 1975, finishing his career in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

During his time in the military, Willis met Gladys Lucille Sanford, on a blind date. Willis was smitten with her. One of the stories he told was that he told Mom he was going to marry her, she had a different story, and said that she wasn't interested, but as you all know, Dad got his way, and they married in Miami, Oklahoma, on December 7, 1957, on Pearl Harbor Day.

When he married Mom, he became a father to her son, Alan Leroy Reddell. During this time, he did get out of the military for a short time and could not find employment in the Kansas City area. He reenlisted; his choice was the Air Force, but as he was in the Army, he had to remain with the Army. He was then placed in the 1st Calvary Division Association, and that is where he spent the remainder of his time in the Armed Forces.

Children started coming along with the transferring from base to base about every three years. Born to this union were Lisa Jean Schmidt, Diana Kay Wollman, Rodger Wade Naugle, Kelly Ann Naugle, Anthony Russell Naugle, and Pamela Sue Gooch.

Willis was preceded in death by his parents, Esther Mae Naugle (Griffith) and Willis Martin Naugle, along with his stepson, Alan Leroy Redell (July 7, 1959); his daughter Kelly Ann Naugle (September 13, 2020); and wife Gladys Lucille Naugle (November 12, 2025); his siblings, Frances K. Dearth (Tom), and Glenna 'Jean' Shipman (Leo Scott). After his military career of twenty years, Willis was hired at Bendix Kansas City Division in January 1976, to January 19, 1991. During his time working at Bendix, he attended Johnson County Community College and received his associate degree in engineering.

Once he retired from Bendix, he was employed at U-Haul as their diesel mechanic, refurbishing engines when the trucks came in from a haul. He retired from that job after working for ten years, and Mom had given him permission to quit working at the age of 70.

He was able to enjoy his time by traveling with Mom, and their grandchildren, taking trips, and vacations. Mom and Dad took several trips with their daughter, Kelly, and enjoyed themselves very much.

Dad and Mom joined Wyandotte Tabernacle in September 1975 and remained with the church for 50 years. Dad was a faithful member of Wyandotte Tabernacle until his time of death.

Dad leaves many close friends, family members, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, as well as great-great grandsons. Dad missed Mom following her death, and mentioned that he would talk with her nightly, and shed tears of sorrow, as his grief over the loss of Mom, was immense. Dad passed with broken heart syndrome, and that shows the love that he had for his wonderful wife of 67 years. They were never apart upon his retirement from his working years.

He will also be missed by those he knew, and those who knew him.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Gideon’s International to purchase a bible in honor of Mr. Naugle, the cost is $5 per bible. The address and link, is as follows:

Gideons International

P.O. Box 140800

Nashville, Tennessee 37214-0800

Gideons.org/donate

Visitation will be held at Wyandotte Tabernacle located at 5301 Metropolitan Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas on January 19, 2026, from 10:00 a.m to 11:00 a.m. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m., at the same location. Willis Milton Naugle will be laid to rest at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, in the Garden of Valor, Section D, Lot 110, Space 3, located at 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas.

Pallbearers for the service will include Joshua Rushing, Jacob Rushing, Matthew Gooch, Bradley Naugle, Sam Blake, and Dominic Cox. Honorary pallbearers will be Rodger Naugle, Anthony Naugle, and Gary Gooch.