William Van Dorn

William F. "Bill" Van Dorn, 46, of Topeka, passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2009 at his home following a battle with cancer. The bravery of his battle with this disease was, and is, an inspiration to all who knew him. He was loved by all and will be dearly missed.
Bill was born on January 12, 1963 in Lakewood, California to Billy E. and Opal (Stephenson) Van Dorn. He attended college at Oklahoma State University and was employed as a grocery store manager. He later became a Real Estate Appraiser, until succumbing to his illness. In 2001, Bill married Kellene Atkinson in the presence of family and loved ones at their home in Topeka. In addition to partnering in his wife's business, his favorite pastime was simply being at home, and spending time with his family, animals, and garden. He was a member of First Church of the Nazarene.
Bill is survived by his wife Kellene; stepchildren, Krista Lundy, Garrett Riedmann, Kyndra Riedmann and Savanah Riedmann; grandsons Forrest Lundy and Jeremiah Riedmann; his mother Opal Van Dorn of Independence, KS; mother in law Jean Elsey; an Aunt, Thelma Guay; Aunt and Uncles, Joyce (Archie) Decker, and Jean (Hal) Flagger. He is also survived by a brother; Phillip (Andrea) Van Dorn and their children, Jerry, Houston, Scott, and Andrew, Morrison, OK; a sister Carla Van Dorn and her children Jeffery and Kerry, Chickasha, OK; niece and nephew, Amy and David Van Dorn; and numerous aunts and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 2, 2009 at First Church of the Nazarene, 1001 SW Buchanan, Topeka, KS. A visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Fund, c/o Oncology Unit, 325 Maine St., Lawrence, KS 66044.