Willard W. Vliet, Wichita
Emporia native Willard W. “Bill” Vliet died Wednesday, July 11, 2007. He was 84.
Mr. Vliet was a co-founder of E.E. Vliet and Company, a wholesale floor covering business. He served in the U.S. Air Force for five years during World War II.
The son of Edward E. and Adna Young Vliet, he was born Dec. 2, 1922, in Emporia. He married Catherine “Katie” Smith in 1975. She survives.
Mr. Vliet is also survived by a stepson, Rod Cripps of Indianapolis, Ind.; and, in this area, a stepgranddaughter, Frannie Cripps Walburn of Emporia and a niece, Mary Zerbe of Council Grove.
Two sisters, Laverne Vliet and Adna Dean Crim, died earlier, as did two brothers, Vaughn Vliet and Elvin E. Vliet, a stepson and his wife, Emporians Rick and Janice Cripps, and a stepgrandson, Emporian Chad Cripps.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Downing and Lahey Mortuary East in Wichita.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Keith Worthington Chapter of ALS Association, 3450 N. Rock Road, S-211, Wichita, KS 66202.