William Robert "Bill" Gann

William Robert “Bill” Gann, 85, longtime resident Gentry and Siloam Springs, Arkansas, died May 20, 2018, at the Alma Manor. He had moved to Alma, Kansas two years ago to be closer to family. Bill was the youngest of the five children of Elmer Franklin and Elsie Rebecca (Steinke) Gann. He was born January 4, 1933 in Omaha, Nebraska, where his father took the family in search of work during the great depression. The family returned to the family farm southeast of Gentry when Bill was a young child, where he went to school and spent much of his life. Bill Gann was the 5th generation of the early pioneer Gann family who originally settled along what is now Gann Ridge Road near Garfield, Arkansas in the 1850’s and he lived to see the 9th generation of the Gann descendants born in the Ozark mountains of Benton County, Arkansas. Bill married Hazel Davis on September 12, 1955 and they lived in Siloam Springs for most of their 41 years of marriage and were part of the Norwood Bible Church congregation. Hazel preceded him in death on January 3, 1997. Bill worked for almost 31 years at Franklin Electric repairing electric motors. He loved to fish and was an avid fan of the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals. He enjoyed traveling in his comfortable van with his wife and later with members of her family to visit relatives and see the sights along the way. Bill also had a keen interest in the weather. Anyone who had a chance to visit with him at Alma Manor (where he became known as the weatherman) was given a lesson on current conditions. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, his sister Norma Cox and brothers, Charles and Jerry Gann. Bill is survived by his oldest brother, Elmer Eugene (Gene) Gann of Independence, Kansas and nieces and nephews; Charles Gann (Laura) of rural Belvue, Kansas, Monica Cox of Rogers, Arkansas, Sandra Marcum of Bentonville, Arkansas, David Gann (Linda) of Independence, Kansas, Norman Cox Jr. (Marilea)of Naples, Florida, Kathy Jimmerson of Dodge City, Kansas, Rebecca Caine and Christina Lundy of Kokomo, Indiana, Vickie Jordan and Tim Gann of Siloam Springs, Arkansas and Tammy Gann of Winong, Wisconsin. The family would treasure the sharing of memories and stories from Bill’s friend and co-workers and especially his extended Davis family at an informed graveside memorial service 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 25, 2018, at Oak Hill Cemetery in Siloam Springs, Arkansas to honor the gentle life of our dear uncle. To sign the online guest book, visit www.wassonfuneralhome.com.

Tributes

William Robert "Bill" Gann

January 4, 1933 - May 20, 2018