Bill Barnes Obituary

Husband. Father. Athlete. Coach. Disciplinarian. Motivator. Teacher. Builder. William 'Bill' Myral Barnes was many things to many people.

EARLY YEARS

In his early years, Bill was a talented athlete in basketball, football, and track. He graduated from Ulysses High School in 1952. He served in the US Air Force at Reece Air Force Base, Lubbock, Texas, from 1953-1957, where he reached the rank of Staff Sargent and also managed the base swimming pools and program. He graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1963 with a Bachelor's Degree in Education/Industrial Arts. Bill began his teaching career at Excelsior Springs, MO, and shortly after started his teaching-coaching career at Emporia High School.

Later, in Lawrence, he taught at Lawrence High School and West Jr High, where he coached basketball and achieved the longest winning streak in town. In 1973 he accepted the head coaching job at Hays High School, where he took the basketball team to the Kansas State Tourney for the first time in 18 years.

From 1958-1966, Bill and his wife, Jo, managed the swimming pool/summer recreation program in Ulysses, and started the AAU competitive swimming program. Bill managed the Holiday Park Swim Pool in Lawrence, KS, and founded/coached the Lawrence Aquahawks Swim Team from 1968-1978. In 1976 he left teaching and began Barnes Homes, known for quality homes and commercial buildings. Bill was blessed to have careers that he enjoyed: coaching/teaching youth and designing/building homes.

FAMILY

William 'Bill' Myral Barnes, 88, was born May 11,1933, in Prowers County, Colorado, to Katherine (Davis) Barnes and Perry Wendell Barnes. He passed away August 24, 2021, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence, Kansas. Bill was the oldest of four children. He is preceded in death by sisters Margie Puyear and Ava Mace, and sister-in-law Sheryl Barnes. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Josandra 'Jo' Colleen Barnes; daughter Sharolyn Gayle Wagner (spouse: Jay Wagner) of Salina, Kansas; son William Brent Barnes (Vera Galchenko-Barnes) of Singapore; grandchildren: William Jacob Wagner (Elle Williams), Dr. Jacquelyn Christine Wagner (Dr. Lee Weiner), and Johnathan Paul Wagner; three great grandsons; brother Homer Barnes (Carlotta); brother-in-law Donnie Mace; and many nieces and nephews.

LAST HONORS

A graveside service with military honors was held in Ulysses, Kansas on September 4; View on Facebook link: https://fb.watch/7W1Fbjjpqx/

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Lawrence, Kansas

Memorials can be made to either The Lawrence Aquahawks Swim Club or The Alzheimer's Association