William Jeltz

Funeral services for William Nelson “Bill” Jeltz, 85, Lawrence will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at St. Luke AME Church in Lawrence.  Military honors to follow.  He died Thursday, May 30, 2013 at his home after beating cancer but had other long illnesses.

William was born on October 6, 1927 in Lawrence, KS the son of Charles “Charlie” and Corrine (Scott) Jeltz.

He graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1945.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946 serving tours in South Korea and Vietnam.  He retired after 20 years of service as Command Sergeant Major.  He then provided service to the Army reserve Centers where he also retired after 20 years. 

Mr. Jeltz spent many years volunteering at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital until his health no longer permitted him.
Bill married Joyce E. Thomason on August 18, 1950 in Tucson, AZ.  To this union was born two sons, William Nelson “Butch” Jeltz and Larry “Steven” Jeltz. 

He is survived by son, Larry Steven Jeltz, Lawrence; four grandchildren, Joyce Jeltz-Moore, Memphis, TN, Justin Jeltz, Lawrence, Ashley Jeltz, San Diego, CA, Vaughn Newman, Norton, KS; four great grandchildren, Alexia Jeltz Moore, Naomi Jeltz Moore, Kailyn Jeltz Moore, Demetrius Jeltz Green; and other many close family and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joyce Jeltz; and son, Butch Jeltz.

The family will greet friends an hour prior to service at the church on Tuesday.

Family and friends are welcome to drop by Tuesday afternoon, June 4th at 615 W. 28th Place, Lawrence. 

The family suggests memorials in his name to Can We Talk Incorporated, P.O. Box 442398, Lawrence, KS 66044 or may be sent in care of the mortuary.
 

16 Condolences

  1. margie r. pharr on May 31, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    i want to offer my deepest condolences for the loss of such a dear man. he will be missed but i will always have fond memories.



  2. Greg Kruger on May 31, 2013 at 2:44 pm

    Bill was a wonderful and thoughtful friend.
    I was honored to know him and make his Birthday Card list.
    He will be sorely missed, especially at Lawrence Memorial Hospital as a volunteer and a dear friend.
    Rest in peace, Mr. Jeltz.



  3. Trish Amon Lukert on May 31, 2013 at 9:58 pm

    Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss. Bill was one of the finest and was such a dear friend of my mom and dad, Floyd & Phyllis Amon. Dad considered Bill to be one of his dearest friends and I know if they would of lived closer they would of been with each other a lot. I knew about your dad from the time I was little growing up. Dad would talk about Bill and their army things. I know your dad was such an inspiration to so many. We thought the world of he and your mom. Mom and I are planning to come down to your dads service if all goes well, but in case we can’t make it, we want you to know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. We will never forget Bill and the special person he was. Our love- Trish Amon Lukert, Phyllis Amon, Debbie Amon Matzke and Gary Amon and families.



  4. Tina Mayo on May 31, 2013 at 10:10 pm

    I worked with Bill at LMH for almost 9 years. He was one of my dearest friends and I will miss him so. May God Hold You In His Loving Arms. I will miss you more than you can know “Pops”.

    Tina



  5. Sharon J Smith on June 1, 2013 at 7:37 am

    So very sad to hear of Bill’s passing, he was a great man & friend to me while working at LMH 2003-2007. He could always made me laugh when I needed it the most. Peace Be With You All



  6. Kimberly Turner on June 1, 2013 at 9:35 am

    Justin and Family,

    I was so sad find Bill’s obituary this morning. I worked with him at LMH in the Admissions department. We would man the information desk together on Saturdays. He was so fun to work with. He always had stories to tell and advice to give:) He would email us all kinds of stuff until he kept messing up his computer. He would always have the Jayhawk games going on his computer on Saturdays. We all loved him very much. He was an accomplished man and I’m sure a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He thought the world of you Justin. He told me that you had come to stay with him for awhile after his wife died and then decided to stay for good. I know that you took good very care of him. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Bill was very special.



  7. Kimberly Turner on June 1, 2013 at 9:35 am

    Justin and Family,

    I was so sad find Bill’s obituary this morning. I worked with him at LMH in the Admissions department. We would man the information desk together on Saturdays. He was so fun to work with. He always had stories to tell and advice to give:) He would email us all kinds of stuff until he kept messing up his computer. He would always have the Jayhawk games going on his computer on Saturdays. We all loved him very much. He was an accomplished man and I’m sure a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He thought the world of you Justin. He told me that you had come to stay with him for awhile after his wife died and then decided to stay for good. I know that you took good very care of him. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Bill was very special.



  8. John Means on June 1, 2013 at 10:02 am

    Steve…Your father was an honorable man. I’m sure he was proud of you. I hope we can visit soon. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and your Dad’s friends.
    John



  9. Judy Georgie on June 2, 2013 at 11:52 am

    Steve, Justin and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Draw strength and comfort from each wonderful memory.



  10. Doris L. Lewis on June 2, 2013 at 7:21 pm

    Family please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of a great man. CSM Jeltz was not only a great soldier but a great friend who never turned his back on you. He was a great mentor and displayed interest in making sure you worked up to your potential. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. May God richly bless and keep all of you.



  11. Lynn Wilson-Bruce on June 3, 2013 at 10:22 am

    My deepest sympathy to the family! It was a joy working with Bill and hearing all his stories. Bill will be missed!



  12. Shannon Green on June 4, 2013 at 9:34 am

    Steve, Man so sorry for your lost. Wish I could be there with you but job would not let me off. Remember the good times.



  13. Geri Green on June 4, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    Stevie, J.J., Justin, and Ashley… Words, however kind, cannot mend your heartache; but those of us who share your loss wish you comfort and peace of mind… Bill was a special person to us and will be missed in so many ways — how many of us will simply miss his yearly birthday card… May you all find strength in the love of family and the warm embrace of friends and may your memories sustain you… Just know he has his wings now and will continue to watch over us… R.I.P., Bill Jeltz…



  14. Sheryle D'Amico on June 4, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    Please accept my deepest condolences in the loss of Bill. I have wonderful memories of our spirited Saturday morning discussions while he volunteered here at LMH. He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers with you.



  15. Barry Lawson on June 5, 2013 at 12:47 pm

    Steve and Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss.



  16. Jerry Wymore on June 29, 2013 at 2:39 pm

    Bill Jeltz was my friend and mentor. As a friend he was always available to listen. Some thought he was rough around the edges when he spoke, but that was Bill and if you listen to what he had to say, he had the most logical approach to an issue or problem. As a mentor, if it was not for him I would not have been a Command Sergeant Major. His encouragement and council kept me focused on taking care of soldiers. I will miss talking to him, but he will always be there for me when I think about him. We will meet again someday, but not just yet.



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