1947-2026
William Roger Werntz, 78, passed away on April 23, 2026 in Winfield KS. He was born August 14, 1947 in Kansas City MO to Margaret “Marge” Grabman and Lyle E Werntz. He was known as Bill to his friends and loved ones. He graduated from Lawrence High School, Lawrence KS in 1965.
After graduation he entered the US Navy during the Vietnam War. He was ultimately assigned to the USS Constellation in SE Asia. He received his Honorable Discharge from the navy in 1971; he remained in SE Asia where he lived and worked in Japan and later Guam. In 1980 he returned to Kansas. He continued his military career through the US Army National Guard from 1985 - 1992.
Bill met Martha Hammond in December 1983 and they were married in June 1984 in an outdoor wedding in Baldwin City KS. They started their married life in Burlington KS where Bill worked security at the Wolf Creek Generating Station. In 1986 Bill decided to go to the Flint Hills Vo-Tech in Emporia KS and study nursing where he graduated in 1987 as an LPN. His nursing career started in Burlington KS and his final shift was in Arkansas City KS.
Bill was extremely proud of his military career as he participated in parades and in the funeral honor guard. He enjoyed hunting in his younger years. Bill and Martha would go on day trips on their days off; drive for a set amount of time, eat and then return home. When he married Martha in 1984 he accepted her children as his own and he remained a part of their lives for 42 years.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Marge and Nick Kring; stepdaughter, Jennifer Stellwagon; brother in law, Noel Russell; and nephew, Clifford Sudja.
Survivors include his sister Vicky Russell, Riverside MO; brother, Rudy Sudja and his wife Sally, Baldwin City KS; stepdaughters Christina Brumley, Arkansas City KS and Kathy Rhodes, Winfield KS; stepson Justin Hammond and his wife, Shelly, Emporia KS; stepson in law, Joe Stellwagon, Lawrence KS, two nieces, two nephews, eight grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.
Appreciation to the teams at Angels Homecare and Gentiva Hospice for being present in his life.
A memorial service will be held at a later date near Baldwin City KS.
Arrangements are by Affordable Cremations Plus, Wichita, Kansas.
