COLVIN, William Kenneth - b. January 22, 1928 - d. March 13, 2009

[patyrn]

William Kenneth Colvin, age 81, died March 13, 2009 at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, Kansas.  He was born January 22, 1928 at Wichita, Kansas, the son of William Kemper and Clara (Radar) Colvin.  He was a Moline High School graduate.  He then received his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas.  He served in the U.S. Navy from 1950-1954 during the Korean Conflict as an aerographer.  On June 12, 1954, he married Virginia Shunk at Madison, Kansas. 

He was a salesman with Continental Emsco in Ellinwood, Pratt, and Liberal from 1954-1963.  Beginning in 1962 to the present time, he was the owner of High Plains Pizza.  He opened the 18th Pizza Hut  in the country in Liberal, Kansas.  The business continued to grow to its current status of 76 restaurants in 5 states.  He was a member of the Liberal Country Club, Liberal Elks Lodge #1947, Seward County Community College Booster Club, Republican Party, and the International Pizza Hut Franchise Holder Association.  He was was inducted into the Pizza Hut Hall of Fame on April 23, 1991.  A great philanthropist, he gave much to support the Liberal community and other communities in Montana.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia; sons, Kent Colvin of Liberal, Kansas, Mike Colvin and wife Patty of Liberal, Kansas, Greg Colvin and wife Elizabeth of Great Falls, Montana, and Tracy Colvin of Scottsdale, Arizona; a sister, Ann Minnich and husband David of Wernersville, Pennsylvania; twelve grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Ashley Colvin.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at First Southern Baptist Church in Liberal, Kansas with Rev. Keith Bryant presiding.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the National Emphysema Foundation or the Seward County Community College Athletic Department in care of Kitch-Brenneman Funeral Home, 1212 W. 2nd, Liberal Kansas 67901.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.brennemanfuneralhome.com.

(taken from the Wichita Eagle website).