Bill Hey

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Billy Dean Hey of Columbus, Kansas passed away peacefully on February 5th, 2025 at his home. Funeral services are planned for Friday, February 14, 2025, at 10:30 at Derfelt Funeral Home in Columbus with burial to follow at Cherokee Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service, at 10:00 AM.

Bill was born October 15, 1941 to George and Francis Hey in Vinita, Oklahoma. Bill attended several rural Cherokee County one-room schools; wherever his mother was teaching at the time. Bill graduated Columbus High School in 1960 and graduated Pittsburg State University in the spring of 1963 earning an associate degree in electricity. He also served in the Kansas National Guard from 1963-1969.

Bill started at Empire District Electric Company in 1964 through the only available opening at the time, cutting grass. He quickly moved into Empire’s Meter Testing Shop in Joplin, Mo. Through a blind date set-up by a co-worker, he met Margaret McCall. On February 28, 1970, Bill married Margaret at the First Baptist Church in Joplin, Missouri.

After 36 years at Empire, Bill retired in 2000 as Electrical Foreman of the Riverton, Kansas plant. In retirement, he finished bucket list goals of restoring a 1950 Ford, traveling with his family on many International and US Trips, and still found time to keep the large lawn maintained.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Curtis Hey.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Margaret of the home. One daughter, Elizabeth Meyer, her husband Matthew Meyer and one grandson, Ike Meyer, of Grovespring, Missouri. His sister Sarah Gurley of Caney, Kansas. His nephew, Tim Hey and his nieces; Cindy Hey, Kathy Shaffer, Gina Anderson and their families. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Derfelt Funeral Home.