(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)Angels in a heavenly chariot came for Roger Traver early in the morning, June 4, 2026.
William Roger Traver was born in rural Stevens County, KS, May 26, 1943, to parents, William (Bill) Monroe Traver and Ferne Adeline Rich Traver, attended by Grandma Pearl Rich and Aunt Darline. A sister, Ruthie, greeted her new brother, and they were always fast friends. Later, two more sisters, Vicki and Elizabeth, completed the family.
Roger grew up on a farm outside Moscow, KS. One hot summer day, Ruthie and Roger, age four and two, decided to go see Daddy. He was working in the hay field with neighbors, and the toddlers could see them, just across the field. When Mama realized the two were not in the yard, she notified the other farmers and families, and they started looking for the little ones. Hours later, two small children with dirty, tear stained faces, walked out of the hay field and prayers were answered.
The family moved to Hugoton, KS in 1954, Daddy and Mama found jobs, and life continued. Aunts, uncles, and cousins all lived in the area, so Roger grew up surrounded by family and loved ones. Roger became a Christian at a young age, was baptized and became a member of the Christian Church in Hugoton.
Roger loved cars, and learned early to work on his own vehicles. He attended Kansas State College (now Pitt State) Vocational Technical School, and graduated after two years, with a certificate from the Auto Mechanics Department. While at Pittsburg, he met his future wife and life partner, Ellen Stiles.
Roger worked for Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company (later Duke Energy) for his entire career. He started as a casual laborer, summer of 1963. He held several different positions within the company, moving his family from Kansas to Missouri, and eventually back to Kansas. Roger retired as a Supervisor at the Greensburg, KS location, after 35 years.
Roger and Ellen were married September 12, 1964 in the First Baptist Church of Carl Junction, MO.
Their first home was in Satanta, KS. Roger was drafted in November 1966 and served two years in the US Army, including 11 months in Vietnam. While overseas, his son, Michael Roger, was born in Joplin, MO. After returning from Vietnam, he returned to their home in Satanta, and to the job that had been held for him. Following a promotion, the family moved to Liberal KS, and a daughter, Christina Diane, joined the family.
After retirement, Roger and Ellen moved to Joplin, MO in 2000 to be closer to family, although that took him far away from his own parents and siblings. Roger was not one to stop working, so he started buying storage unitsthink Storage Wars and started reselling items.
Roger and Ellen joined South Joplin Christian Church (now Sojourners Christian Church) soon after moving to Joplin. Roger always loved kids, and his favorite time on Sunday mornings was sitting in the kitchen of the church, serving cookies and treats to the young ones. He wore his signature bow tie every Sunday.
The family moved to Hugoton, KS in 1954, Daddy and Mama found jobs, and life continued. Aunts, uncles, and cousins all lived in the area, so Roger grew up surrounded by family and loved ones. Roger became a Christian at a young age, was baptized and became a member of the Christian Church in Hugoton.
Roger loved cars, and learned early to work on his own vehicles. He attended Kansas State College (now Pitt State) Vocational Technical School, and graduated after two years, with a certificate from the Auto Mechanics Department. While at Pittsburg, he met his future wife and life partner, Ellen Stiles.
Roger worked for Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company (later Duke Energy) for his entire career. He started as a casual laborer, summer of 1963. He held several different positions within the company, moving his family from Kansas to Missouri, and eventually back to Kansas. Roger retired as a Supervisor at the Greensburg, KS location, after 35 years.
Roger and Ellen were married September 12, 1964 in the First Baptist Church of Carl Junction, MO.
Their first home was in Satanta, KS. Roger was drafted in November 1966 and served two years in the US Army, including 11 months in Vietnam. While overseas, his son, Michael Roger, was born in Joplin, MO. After returning from Vietnam, he returned to their home in Satanta, and to the job that had been held for him. Following a promotion, the family moved to Liberal KS, and a daughter, Christina Diane, joined the family.
After retirement, Roger and Ellen moved to Joplin, MO in 2000 to be closer to family, although that took him far away from his own parents and siblings. Roger was not one to stop working, so he started buying storage unitsthink Storage Wars and started reselling items.
Roger and Ellen joined South Joplin Christian Church (now Sojourners Christian Church) soon after moving to Joplin. Roger always loved kids, and his favorite time on Sunday mornings was sitting in the kitchen of the church, serving cookies and treats to the young ones. He wore his signature bow tie every Sunday.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents and two younger sisters, Vicki Micheau and Beth Stipe.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ellen; his son, Michael and wife Rachel; daughter Chris and husband Chris Perkins; his sister Ruthie Winget of Hugoton, KS; 11 grandchildren: Amberlie Traver, Breckin Traver, Hayley Littles (Desmond), Jacob Morris (Clare), Shannon Dial (Tori), Joshua Dial (Darien), Caleb Dial (Katie Becker), Amber Dial (Walt Sours), Holly McCormick, Sean Perkins, Keith Perkins, and eight great grandchildren. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews, and many, many friends.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 11, from 5 to 6 pm at Mason-Woodard Chapel, Joplin, MO.
Funeral services will be Friday, June 12, 11 am at Sojourners Christian Church. Burial will be at Ozark Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, consider sending memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.
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