William E. Torrey

William E. Torrey, 71, of Axtell, KS, died Thursday, October 8, 2015 at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca, KS. Visitation was Sunday, October 11, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home in Axtell. The family received friends from 4 to 6 p.m. at the funeral home. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 12 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Axtell. Father Albert Hauser officiated. The pallbearers were Mario Bonilla, Mark Fortune, Don Becker, Matt Becker, Jordan Becker, and Andy Torrey. Burial was in the church cemetery. William was born April 7, 1944 at Axtell, KS, son of Nelson “Bob” and Mary (Henry) Torrey. He graduated from Axtell High School. After serving in the U.S. Army Reserve he worked as a meat cutter at Falley’s Grocery in Topeka. He owned and operated the Vassar Grocery near Pomona Lake before moving back to the Axtell area. Bill was a partner in Durland Auto Parts in Centralia and Seneca before going to work at the Big B Grocery as a meat cutter. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting, NASCAR, trying different cooking concoctions, and spending time with his family. Survivors include three daughters, Tammy (Don) Becker, Centralia, KS, Jennifer (Mario) Bonilla, Wichita, KS, and LaDonna (Mark) Fortune, Andale, KS; one son, Terry Lewis, Wichita, KS; two sisters, JoAnn Welliver, Riverside, MO, and Phyllis (Richard) Turney, Overland Park, KS; brother, Jim (Kathy) Torrey, Sabetha, KS; eight grandchildren, Matt Becker, Jordan Becker, Kaitlyn Becker, Alex Bonilla, Emily Bonilla, Kyle Fortune, Nicholas Fortune, Samuel Fortune, and Chance Fortune; and four great-grandchildren, Derek Becker, Nicole Becker, Jill Becker, and Dani Becker. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Gerald and Ray Torrey; and a sister, Sue Durland. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated at a later date. Contributions may be sent in care of the Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home, 205 4th St., Axtell, KS 66403 To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William E. Torrey, please visit our flower store.