William "Bill" Dechant, 99, Hays, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008, at St. John's Health Care Center, Victoria.

He was born Jan. 1, 1909 in Antonino to Joseph and Anna (Speier) Dechant.

He married Germaine (Wolf) on May 6, 1930, in Antonino. She preceded him in death Sept. 26, 1992. He was a farmer, a fireman at the Walker Army Air Base from 1942 to 1945, and a fireman for the city of Hays from 1945 to 1975.

He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, St. Joseph 3rd degree Knights of Columbus and 4th degree Bishop Cunningham Assembly Knights of Columbus.

Survivors include a son, Norbert Dechant and wife, Margaret, Kansas City, Mo.; a son-in-law, Harold Schmeidler, Walker; a daughter-in-law, Kathy Dechant, Stamford, Conn.; two brothers, Walter Dechant, Hays, and Eugene Dechant, Wichita; three sisters, Alice Legleiter, Augusta, Stella Von Feldt, Denver, and Mabel Riedel, Walker; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 17 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a son, Larry Dechant; a daughter, Norma Schmeidler; a great-granddaughter; a brother, Richard Dechant; four sisters, Marcella Zimmerman, Adaline Zimmerman, Josephine Legleiter and Eleanor King; and an infant sister, Bertha Dechant.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Hays; burial in Lady Of Help Christian Cemetery, Antonino.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Thursday, both at Cline's Mortuary of Hays, 1919 E. 22nd, Hays, KS 67601. The 4th degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the mortuary.

A vigil will be at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, with a 3rd and 4th degree Knights of Columbus rosary at 7 p.m., all at the mortuary.

Memorials are suggested to Lady of Help Christian Cemetery Association or Masses in care of the mortuary.