William Lowell “Bill” Pettijohn, 70, Hutchinson
William Lowell “ Bill” Pettijohn
HUTCHINSON – William Lowell “ Bill” Pettijohn, 70, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 11, 2023 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS. He was born in Hays, KS. on October 20, 1952 to William Gordon and Anna Jane (Foley) Pettijohn.
Bill graduated form Stockton High School, Stockton, KS, in 1970. He attended Fort Hays State College, Hays, KS.; received an Associates Degree from Colby Community College, Colby, KS. in 1972; and earned a Bachelor’ s Degree in Administration of Justice from Wichita State University, Wichita, Ks. in 1974.
On June 1, 1974, Bill married his High School sweetheart Judy Clark in Stockton, Ks. This union was blessed with two daughters, Alison and Amy. His greatest priority in life was his family and he was a devoted Husband, Dad, Father-in-law and Papa.
Having grown up on the farm, Bill learned the value of hard work, perseverance, integrity, and leading a simple life. He enjoyed taking walks, reading, history, hunting pheasants and deer, listening to “ Oldies” music and going to concerts, and spending time with family and friends.
Bill was a dedicated Law Enforcement Officer having served in nearly every aspect of law enforcement in his career spanning 44+ years. He was a Patrolman for The Salina Police Department, Salina KS; a Patrolman for the Beatrice Police Department, Beatrice, NE; a Trooper and Investigator for the Nebraska State Patrol with duty stations in Lincoln, NE and Columbus, NE; and an Agent for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation assigned to duty stations in Topeka, KS, Concordia, KS, and Beloit, KS, but working across the entire state of Kansas. After retiring, Bill continued his public service by working three “ retirement jobs” . He was an Evidence Custodian for the Hutchinson/Reno County Law Enforcement Center, Hutchinson, KS; a School Resource Officer for USD 266 Police Department, Maize, KS; and a Fraud Investigator for the Kansas Department for Children and Families, Hutchinson, KS.
Bill is survived by his wife Judy, Hutchinson, KS.; daughters, Alison (Jeremy) Samuel, Wichita, KS. and Amy (Matthew) Dougan, Derby, KS.; granddaughter, Layla Samuel, Wichita, KS.; sister, Sharon Pettijohn, Stockton, KS.; and granddog, Lily.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; maternal and paternal grandparents; parents-in-law, Bill and Peggy Dunlap and Bob Clark; aunts, uncles, and cousins; his beloved Cocker Spaniel, Carrie; and granddog, Cooper.
Memorial services to celebrate Bill’ s life will be held on June 24, 2023 at 2pm in the Elliott Mortuary Chapel, 1219 N. Main St., Hutchinson, KS, with Pastor Steve Hodgson presiding. His final resting place will be Stockton City Cemetery, Stockton, KS., with inurnment at a later date. Services will be livestreamed.
Memorials may be made to the Sunrise Christian Academy Orchestra Department, Bel Aire, KS. in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main St., Hutchinson, KS., 67501.