William Bybee

William D. "Dave" Bybee passed away Tuesday, February 11th, at Stormont-Vail Health Center, following a courageous battle with cancer. Dave was born on December 1, 1951 in Portsmouth, VA, the son of Yvonne and William R. Bybee. He was raised in Phoenix, AZ by his grandparents, Mary and Edmond O'Rourke.

Dave graduated from Arizona State University with an accounting degree and received his Masters of Business Administration from Washburn University. He moved to Topeka as an internal auditor with Santa Fe Railroad in 1979. Later he was Assistant to the Corporate Secretary with Santa Fe Industries. Most recently he served as Manager of the HPIP Program with the Kansas Department of Commerce.

He married Roseann Weishaar in November 1982 in Topeka. She survives, as do two daughters, Kathleen (Blake) Thornton, Lawrence, KS and Sarah Bybee, Topeka, KS, and two grandsons Connor and Hayden Thornton. Dave is also survived by 8 siblings, Julie (Barry) Stephens, Linda (Mike) Hull, Claudia (Wayne) Davies, Tom (Bev) Haynes and Harry Haynes, all from the Phoenix and Casa Grande, AZ area, and sisters Sandra Gentry, Sally Ann Downs and Arlene Hanna.

Dave was a one-of-a-kind man, a source of knowledge and fair-mindedness for those who had the privilege of knowing him. He was a cherished husband, father and friend, and will be greatly missed by all.

Cremation is planned. Visitation will be held at the Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on Friday, February 13th. Memorial service will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 14th at the funeral home. Inurnment will be at a later date in Nortonville.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be given to the Topeka Rescue Mission in care of the funeral home.