Bill Krone, 91, of Pretty Prairie, Kansas died Thursday, December 15, 2011. He was born on April 22, 1920, the son of W. M. (Bill) and Mary Krone. He met his wife, Ola as a pen pal through mutual friends during the Second World War where Bill served as a technical sergeant in the Philippines on the islands of Leyte, Mindoro, and Hilandia. Shortly after his return from the Philippines they were married on June 12, 1945. They spent most of their married life in Minneapolis, Kansas where Bill worked for Kriegh Motors for 17 years and the Kansas Department of Transportation for 13 years.

Bill retired from KDOT in 1985 and moved to Pretty Prairie, Kansas where he and Ola enjoyed retirement and close contact with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. They established special friendships with many Pretty Prairie residents through attending functions at the Pretty Prairie Senior Center.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 66 years, Ola Krone, an infant son William Frank, 4 brothers and 6 sisters. He is survived by his sister, Clara (Wayne) Vignery of Bennington, Kansas, daughter Mary Jo Chilton, Pretty Prairie; son Ted Krone and wife Ann of Wichita; son Jim Krone and wife Barbara of Wichita; son Mike Krone and wife Diane of Hutchinson, eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held at Wilson Family Funeral Home in Minneapolis on Thursday, December 22 at 1 p.m.. Burial will be at the Highland Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 21 at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hospice & Home Care of Reno County: A Promise Regional Medical Center, 1523 East 20th Avenue Hutchinson, KS 67502-4720.