Bill D. Scott, age 90, passed away Tuesday January 14, 2025, at Cedar Village, Ness City, KS.
Bill was born Sunday, May 20, 1934, in Ransom, Ks., the eldest son of Robert Wayne and Jessie Ann (Petty) Scott.
He attended grade school at Cottage County school near their home northeast of Ransom. After his parents moved further west to his grandparent Petty’s farmstead, he attended Cyrus Country school. In 1945 the Cyrus Country school closed, and Bill completed his school years in Ransom, graduating High School in 1952.
Bill attended Abilene Christian College in Abilene Texas, where he studied music and was a member of the Abilene Christian Acapella chorus.
On July 5, 1954, Bill married Mary Arliss Moody in Dodge City, Kansas. They moved to his grandparent’s farm northeast of Ransom soon after.
Bill and Mary began farming and started their own herd of Shorthorn cattle. Over time he built the herd and became a member of the Kansas Shorthorn Association. He served on the board and participated in and organized livestock shows and sales. He served as the sales manager for the Kansas Shorthorn Futurity for many years, something he was especially proud of. Bill also served on the board of directors of the American Shorthorn Association from 1983-1988. Throughout these years he showed his cattle numerous times with many awards. Bill served on the Ness County Fair Board and the Ransom School Board.
Besides his Shorthorn cattle, Bill’s other passion was Barbershop harmony. He was a member of the Hays High Plains Barbershop Chorus for 42 years. He was an assistant director and sang in a quartet for a few of those years.
Bill loved and often talked about Cedar Bluff Reservoir. He watched it being constructed during his youth and spent many days fishing, boating and picnicking at the lake. He devoted many hours to the Western Kansas Water Watchers Association; a group formed to promote and protect water levels at Cedar Bluff.
Bill and Mary were members of the Church of Christ and later attended the First Mennonite Church in Ransom.
Bill leaves to mourn his passing, his wife of 70 years, Mary Scott; sons Kent Scott of Ottawa, Ks; Craig Scott of Ransom, Ks; daughter Karen Story and husband Alvin of Grain Valley, Missouri; five grandchildren, Tracy (Kyle) Proffer; Kelly (Darrell) Morris; Chailyn Scott; Aaron Story and Andrew Story: 4 great-grandchildren, Ford Proffer, Beau Proffer and Jane Proffer; and Selah Morris; 2 step great-grandchildren, Bryar Morris and Sibby Morris. Bill is also survived by his best friend - his brother Bob G. Scott and his wife Patsy of Maize, Ks, by his nephew Kip Scott and wife Jody; niece, Jill Hoffman and husband Phil; and one first cousin, John Petty, Nashville, TN.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Robert & Jessie Scott; grandson, Kyle Scott; granddaughter, Chantelle Scott; and his nephew Todd Scott.
Memorial services will be on Friday, January 24, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, Ks. Visitation with the family will follow after the service. Inurnment in the Ransom Cemetery, Ransom, Ks. at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Kansas Shorthorn Futurity, Ness County Fair Livestock Building Improvement Fund, or the Hays High Plains Barbershop Chorus.
Words of comfort and support may be left for the family at www.fitzgeraldfuneral.com.