William "Bill" Mills Humphrey

William (Bill) Mills Humphrey, Jr., died peacefully at his home on Friday, November 6, 2026. Bill was born in Casper, Wyoming, on Feb 28,1955 to Ginny and William Humphrey. The family moved to Wichita in 1958, settling in Newton in 1962. Throughout Bill's childhood, he participated in many sports. He was very active in Little League, and in high school, excelled in football and baseball. During high school, he had many friends, took sports seriously and was Homecoming King his senior year. He graduated from Newton High School in1973 and attended Butler County Community College on a football scholarship. In 1975, he transferred to the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg where he continued playing football for a year.

Following college, Bill lived in Wichita and worked for six years as a foreman for Richie's Construction Company. Throughout the years, Bill worked in various jobs which included sales, garage door repair, landscaping, and painting. Bill was a wonderful son, brother and uncle. Family was important to him and he enjoyed playing cards, games, and even performed magic tricks at holiday family gatherings. He was adored by his five nieces and nephews. He kept them entertained and laughing through the years. He will be dearly missed. 

His interests included golf and watching Ohio State, Kansas State and Philadelphia Eagles football. One item on his bucket list was attending an Ohio State football game in Columbus, which he was able to do in 2023 with his sister, Sally. He enjoyed listening to rock and roll music, loved to dance, sang in the church choir, and surprised his family by singing a karaoke solo the night before his mother's memorial service. Bill had a great sense of humor, and delighted us with the occasional out-of-the-blue one-liners.

Although Bill had health issues, he was able to enjoy living in a comfortable home, supported by loving friends, church members and family. 

Bill is survived by his three sisters: Sally Humphrey, (Frank Nobles) and son, Ryan Nobles of Hockessin DE; Gayle Humphrey (Eric Conger) of Weehawken, NJ and daughter, Sophia Conger in Brooklyn, NY and son Davis Conger in Washington DC: Sue Whiteside (Mike Whiteside) and daughter and son-in-law, Caroline and Blake Richardson in Dallas, TX and son, Patrick Whiteside of Austin, TX. Other survivors include an aunt, Margaret Mary Cowin, of Cleveland Heights, OH and numerous cousins living in Ohio, Arkansas, Arizona and California.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date in 2027. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to First Presbyterian Church and Meals on Wheels in Newton. 

A very special thanks to our beloved friends, Becky, Brad and Hayley Cooper, Lynda and Rita Voth, Steve and Susie Tangeman, and Michelle and Brent Coffman, who supported and cared for Bill during the last few years of his life. 

The family appreciated the dedication and loving care from Newton Good Shepherd Hospice