Bill VanMeter 71, of Pilot Grove, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Bill was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on June 14th, 1953. He was the only son to the late Eldon W. VanMeter and Phyllis F. Launder.

Bill enlisted in the US Army in 1971. He was stationed overseas in Germany twice and stateside at Fort Riley, Kansas, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Fort Benning, Georgia; and for his last duty at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

He served his country during wartime. He sustained an active role in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.  Bill held the final rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC) E-7. During his military career, Bill received numerous military awards and honors to include the Army Commendation medal, Drill instructor identification badge, Expert Infantry badge, Southwest Asia service award and Army Achievement medal to name a few.

Survivors include his wife, Wendy (Shelly) VanMeter; daughters, Michelle Devore (Cory) of Atlanta, Georgia, Daughter Wendy Deuschle (Tim) of Boonville, Missouri, Jenna VanMeter of Wichita, Kansas, Kristal Zimmerman (Josh) of Wichita, Kansas; and son, Johnathan VanMeter (Sindy) of Boca Raton, Florida.

He is also survived by his grandsons, Michael Holley (Maggie), Brandon Mitchell (Dana), Eric Lloyd (Jessica), Dwayne Loesing (Madison), Austin Loesing (Stormy), and one granddaughter, Mackenzie Deuschle.

He also leaves behind 9 Great Grandchildren and one on the way.

He will be greatly missed by all.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Friday, June 28th at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, Salina, with Steve Carrier officiating. Burial will follow at Gypsum City Cemetery, Gypsum.

Donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans, in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio St., Salina, Kansas 67401.

Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.carlsonfh.net or on our Facebook page.