William V. "Bill" VanSkike, 87, died November 29, 2010 at Via Christi St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas. He was born May 21, 1923 at Rural Arkansas City, Kansas, the son of Harry and Mary Anna (Bossi) VanSkike. He married Grace Ellen Dickson September 3, 1950 at ElDorado, Kansas. A Great Bend, Kansas, resident since May 1956, coming from Finney County, Kansas, he was Barton County Extension 4-H Club Agent for Kansas State University from 1956 to 1989. Mr. VanSkike was a United States Army veteran serving as a rifleman, platoon sergeant, and radioman in the 381st Infantry of the 96th Division during the World War II invasions of Leyte Gulf and Okinawa. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE). Survivors include his wife, Grace Ellen VanSkike, of the home; three sons: Keith Preston VanSkike and wife Karen, Norton, Kansas; Roger Lee VanSkike and wife Charlotte, Omaha, Nebraska; and Robert Kenneth VanSkike and wife Jenifer, Great Bend; one daughter: Jane Marie VanSkike, Whitewater, Kansas; one sister: Dorothy Faidley and husband Karl, Arkansas City, Kansas; brother-in-law: Jack Works, Humboldt, Kansas; thirteen grandchildren: Joshua VanSkike and wife Lisa of Manhattan, Kansas; Luke VanSkike and wife Holly of Manhattan; Jacob VanSkike of Norton, Kansas; William VanSkike of Lawrence, Kansas; Sarah VanSkike of Omaha, Nebraska; Jason Ritter and wife Melodee of ElDorado; Justin Ritter and wife Jessica of Potwin, Kansas; Will Ritter and special friend A. J. of El Dorado; Brianna Ritter of Whitewater; Stacey Nichols of Denver, Colorado; Chad Ritter of Denver; Todd VanSkike and wife Amanda of Great Bend; Megan VanSkike of Great Bend; and eight great-grandchildren: Bethany, Dakota, Preston, Peyton, Gavin, Faith, Hope, Dalton. He was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Ruth Works; and three infant grandchildren, Michelle, Krista, and Shaun. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 3, 2010 at the First Presbyterian Church. The Reverend Dr. Scott Solether will officiate. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery with military rites by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday, December 2, 2010 with the family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials in Mr. VanSkike's name have been established with First Presbyterian Church, Kansas 4-H Foundation, Golden Belt Community Foundation to benefit the Barton County 4-H Council, or the church of the donor's choice, in care of the funeral home.