William J. Buessing, 91, of Baileyville, KS, died September 9, 2009 at Life Care Center in Seneca.

He was born August 28, 1918, the son of William and Mary Koch Buessing on a farm northeast of Baileyville, KS. He attended school at Sacred Heart in Baileyville, and worked on the family farm.

On August 9, 1944, he married Margaret Haug at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. They farmed northeast of Baileyville until 1947 when Bill suffered back problems that prompted the couple to move to Sabetha. While living in Sabetha he worked at the Sabetha Creamery. After successful back surgery, the couple returned to the Baileyville area and operated a dairy farm until they retired in 1978, and moved into Baileyville.

Bill was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. He served on the Dairy Improvement Board, the Nemaha County Fair Board, the 4-H Council, the Marion Township Board, the Nemaha County Agriculture Board, and the Baileyville Improvement District. He also helped with starting the recycling program in Seneca and Baileyville, and received the Bankers Conservation Award. Bill enjoyed fishing, playing cards, artistic painting, and helping family with home improvements.

Survivors are his wife of 65 years, Margaret of the home; his children, Janice (Leroy) Skoch of Wildwood , MO, Richard (Kathy) Buessing and Maurice (Linda) Buessing, both of Axtell, KS, Dottie (Mark) Deters and Vernice (Karen) Buessing,both of Baileyville, KS, Wilma (Wade) Malone of Emporia, KS, and Arlene (Steve) Johnson of Arkansas City, KS; a sister, Dorothy Altenholfen of Kansas City, MO; 23 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his brother Peter Buessing on March 8, 1972, and his sister Anna Elizabeth Buessing.

Rosaries were prayed on September 10 at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Fr. Ed Oen, on Friday, September 11 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. Servers were Ashley Buessing, Christian Buessing and Noah Deters. Music was provided by the church choir, vocalists Renee Johnson, Shane Thoreson and Laura Thoreson and organist Becky Lierz. The lectors were Bill Buessing, Andy Buessing and Shawn Buessing. Gift bearers were Katie Sextro, Angela McKee, Jerry Skoch and Justin Malone; and the Eucharistic ministers were Michelle Haverkamp, Linda Buessing and Mark Deters.

Burial was in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Baileyville. Pallbearers were Daryl Skoch, Roy Buessing, Brian Buessing, Kyle Deters, Brent Buessing and Billy Malone. Honorary Pallbearers were Roger Buessing, Damian Buessing, Dale Buessing, Matt Deters, Dennis Deters and Ben Johnson.

Memorials may be given for Sacred Heart Church Restoration Fund, and sent in care of the family.