Bill L. Zimmerman

Bill L. Zimmerman, 73, of Hays, Kansas, died Thursday, July 20, 2023, at Hays Medical Center.

He was born December 10, 1949, in Quinter, Kansas to Joseph and Martina (Ziegler) Zimmerman. He married Vivian Werth in Hays on May 4, 1974.

Bill graduated from Quinter High School, Quinter, Kansas in 1967. He served in the US Army in the Viet Nam War for two years as a Combat Engineer building helicopter landing pads and roads. He also hauled heavy equipment while in Viet Nam.

He worked at Allied, Inc (now APAC) as Assistant Manager of the Ready Mix and supervised drivers and the maintenance for the fleet of mixer trucks and equipment for almost 40 years before he retired due to health reasons. He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles, fishing, hunting, gardening, and traveling all over the United States on his motorcycle. He was an excellent gardener and was proud to share fruit and produce with friends.

He was a member of St Joseph Church, Knights of Columbus Council 1325, Hays American Legion, Hays VFW, Viet Nam Veterans of America, Harley Owners Group, the Patriot Guard, and the American Legion Riders.

He is survived by his wife, Vivian of Hays; four brothers, Fr. Don Zimmerman, Manhattan, Kansas, Darrell (Barbara) Zimmerman, Mulvane, Kansas, Wayne (Sheryl) Zimmerman, Quinter, Kansas, and Bob Zimmerman, Stafford, Kansas; two sisters, Marilyn (Glen) Gabel, Hays, and Jolene (Tim) Nejdl, Quinter, Kansas; a brother-in-law, Allen (Cheryl) Werth, Hays, Kansas; sisters-in-law, Linda Werth, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Bonnie Werth, Colby, Kansas; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, many friends, and his beloved cats.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Joe and Martina Zimmerman; his paternal grandparents, Ted and Rosalie (Heier) Zimmerman; his maternal grandparents, Adam and Mary Ann (Phlieger) Ziegler; his in-laws, Richard and Millie Werth; two sisters-in-law, Viola Zimmerman and Margery Werth; and a brother-in-law, George R Werth.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th Street, Hays, Kansas. Officiant will be Fr. Rich Daise with Fr. Dana Clark Concelebrating.

Services will be available on Facebook Live by going to www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com and selecting the Facebook Live tab.

Inurnment following services in the Kansas State Veterans’ Cemetery, WaKeeney, Kansas. Military Honors courtesy of the Hays VFW Post 9076 Honor Guard and the American Legion Riders Chapter 173 of Hays.

Memorial visitation will be 4 PM – 7 PM Tuesday, July 25, 2023, with a St. Joseph Council #1325 rosary and parish vigil at 7 PM all at Brocks-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory at 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Kansas Honor Flight, Kansas State Veterans’ Cemetery, WaKeeney, Kansas, or Canine Companions (Provides service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice, and educational settings.)

Condolences may be shared on Bill’s tribute page at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com