Bill D. Birk

Billy Dale Birk (Bill), 99, long time resident of Wamego, Kansas, passed away on June 12th, 2026 in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

He was born July 17th, 1926 in Wamego, the son of Carl and Florence Birk.

Bill graduated from Wamego High School in 1944 and enlisted in the United States Navy the next day to serve in combat during WW2. He worked many years as the head of the engineering department at Balderson, Inc. in Wamego.

Bill enjoyed playing golf, watching sports, watching history programs and reading history books. Bill also enjoyed drawing and was an amateur cartoonist. While in school he would draw in his text books. He probably would have gotten better grades if he had read the text books.

Bill married Velva Jean Stroble on June 11, 1948. They remained together until Jean passed on January 31, 2014. Together they had four children: Tim (Barbara, deceased and Jill), Koko aka Colleen (Mel), Dan (Debbie) and Jeff (Laura). Bill’s children gave him nine grandchildren: Jarad Falk (Christine), Adam Falk (Barbara), Bryan Falk (Sarah), Eric Falk (Mecah) Ashley Birk, Courtney Birk, Preston Birk (Jessica) Kim Birk-Duncan (Patrick) and Anna Fosmire (Bill). Bill also has fifteen great-grandchildren: Sophie Falk, Meredith Falk, Helene Falk, Maxine Falk, Leana Falk, Cate Falk, Gabby Falk, Jack Falk, Jed Falk, Liam Falk, Anderson Falk, Desmond Birk, June Duncan, Jackson Fosmire and Grace Fosmire.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Florence, his sister Marilyn Gallagher and his wife Jean.

Funeral service will be held Thursday morning (June 18, 2026) at 11:00 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Wamego with Mother Casey Rohleder and Deacon Jeff Birk officiating. Burial with Military Honors by the U. S. Navy Funeral Honors Detail and the Wamego American Legion Post No. 172 will be in Wamego City Cemetery. A light luncheon will be served in the Guild Hall following the graveside service.

Visitation will be Thursday morning (June 18, 2026) from 10:00 until the time of services at St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church or the Wamego American Legion Post No. 172. Please make checks payable to the organization and those may be left with Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P. O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.