John William “Bill” Sausser, 92, of Sabetha, Kansas, formerly of Seneca, died Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at the Sabetha Community Hospital in Sabetha.

Bill began his eventful life in Seneca on February 9, 1920, born to George A. and Margaret “Maggie” McNally Sausser.

Bill graduated from Seneca High School, class of 1938, where he was a star football player. His senior year he led his team to a great season and was chosen the most valuable player. The autographed football he was awarded remained a prized possession all his life.

Following high school, Bill worked for Red Kelly at his gas station and at Winterscheidt Milling. He also helped his father in his business of moving and remodeling houses.

He entered the U.S. Army in 1942, and on the day he left for the service, the whole family gathered to see him off and took a family photo. He attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and was commissioned June 3, 1943. Bill served until 1946 in the 613th Field Artillery Battalion, MARS Task Force. This was a very special unit in which mules carried heavy artillery along the Burma Road, helping to keep supply lines open from India to China, and preventing southeast Asia from falling to the enemy.

Captain Sausser was commander and leader of his unit, and was awarded a bronze star for his service. His commanding officer, Lt. Col. James Donovan, stated in his award recommendation: “Captain Sausser’s performance was characterized by outstanding energy, efficiency, skill, leadership and devotion to duty. I have never seen an organization as devoted to their commanding officer as his battery has always been to him.”

The story of the mule trek supply route was retold in The New Yorker magazine, November 27, 1954 issue, and Bill is mentioned prominently in the article. To his last day, Bill kept in contact with the remaining members of his unit as best he could.

He was discharged from active duty and remained in the Army Reserves until 1953.

After the war, Bill moved to Colorado Springs and worked on the Lazy B Ranch and then spent a number of years as manager of the Pine Valley Ranch near Colorado Springs. This ranch land was destined to be included in the site of the U.S. Air Force Academy. During this time and after, he was justly proud of the registered quarter horses that he owned, trained and rode at many shows. He amassed a large collection of trophies, ribbons and awards, and was featured on the cover of a booklet called “Your Horse and You,” published by the Humane Society, Pikes Peak Region, in 1958.

Three of his horses were especially dear to him, namely Old Blue, a blue roan and according to Bill, “the best horse I ever had,” Pony McCue, who won the first “Champion of Champions” award at the Colorado State Fair along with many other awards, and Patty’s Queen, an outstanding mare, who produced a number of champion offspring. Bill’s knowledge of horses and mules was peerless, as was his love and appreciation for them.

Bill was the last surviving charter member of the Pikes Peak Range Riders that began in 1949. Bill made 18 rides with them, his last in 1974. The ride was organized to publicize the Pikes Peak Rodeo, and was a challenge for many riders, but also a great social event and opportunity for some “horse trading,” according to Bill. The Range Riders still sponsor a ride every year and fund a charitable foundation.

Bill took up real estate sales in Colorado and Nebraska, and later returned to Seneca to help care for his mother, who lived to the age of 102.

In 1986, he married Gwendolyn (Warrick) Glenn of Pawnee City, Nebraska. Gwen was a high school classmate and the two met again many years later at a class reunion. As they say, the rest is history. They were married for 22 years, and when Gwen’s health failed, Bill was a loving and devoted caregiver. Gwen passed away in 2010 and Bill continued to live in Pawnee City until recently moving to the Apostolic Christian Home in Sabetha, Kansas, where he resided briefly until his final illness.

Bill always enjoyed being up to date on recent sports events on TV, and was an excellent correspondent who kept in touch with all of his relatives and friends with cards and letters. He never failed to ask about the lives and families of others.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, George Jr.; a sister Marguerite Blaylock and an infant sister, Florence; and brothers-in-law, Herman Beyreis, Arden Droge, Robert Foltz and Burr Blaylock.

He is survived by three sisters, Mamie Beyreis and Bessie Droge of Sabetha, Kansas, and Helen Foltz of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; three nephews, Michael (Molly) Droge of Parkville, Missouri, Richard (Susan) Droge of Lakewood, Colorado, and Craig (Linda) Foltz of Lee’s Summit; a niece, Elizabeth (Mike) Wells of Carrollton, Texas; a number of grandnieces and grandnephews; and special family friend, Laurie Cavin. He is also survived by two step-daughters, Karen (Tom) Hamer of Tecumseh, Nebraska, and Kathy Glenn of Lincoln, Nebraska.

A funeral service will be held at 2:30 PM Saturday, February 2, at the Friedens United Church of Christ near Bern, Kansas, with Pastor Ken Tubessing officiating.

A graveside service and inurnment with military honors will be conducted at a later date. Memorials may be designated for the Pikes Peak Range Riders Foundation or the Friedens United Church of Christ.