William L. Kline, 91, died Jan. 23, 2006, at Hester Center, Wesley Towers.

He was born Aug. 11, 1914, in Hutchinson, the son of Norval N. and Maude Lamont Kline. He was a 1932 graduate of Hutchinson High School. He attended Hutchinson Junior College and graduated from the University of Kansas in 1936. A lifetime Hutchinson resident, he was retired president of the Kline Insurance Agency, working from 1946 to 1992.

He belonged to Park Place Christian Church. He was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honorary Society with the KU School of Business, Lysle Rishel American Legion Post No. 68, Bob Campbell Veterans of Foreign Wars, served on the Board of Directors at Central Bank and Trust Co., past chairman of the former Grace Hospital during the merger into Hutchinson Hospital, served on the boards of Health Care Inc. and the Hutchinson Hospital, past president and served on the boards of USD No. 308 Hutchinson public schools, Hutchinson Kiwanis Club, Hutchinson Symphony, Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce, Prairie Dunes Country Club, the Kansas Association of Insurance Agents and was a State Director serving on the National Association of Insurance Agents. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II, serving as a First Lieutenant, 4th Armored Division from 1943 to 1946, receiving the Bronze Star Medal and the Battlefield Commission.

On Aug. 17, 1940, he married Dorothy Shields in Dallas, Texas. She died July 8, 1996.

Survivors include: a son, W. Michael Kline and his wife, Betty, Lawrence; a daughter-in-law, Pam Kline, Hutchinson; a brother, Norval N. Kline Jr. and wife, Dorothy, Hutchinson; a sister-in-law, Aline Kline, Lawrence; two grandchildren, Ann Alden Kline, Alexandria, Va., and Andrew Kline, Lawrence.

He was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Kent Kline; and a brother, John Kline.

Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Park Place Christian Church, with the Rev. Kim Biery presiding. A private graveside service will be held in Penwell-Gabel's Memorial Park Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. The family will receive friends Thursday at the church following the memorial service. The casket will remain closed.

Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to the Hutchinson Community College Endowment Association or the church, in care of the mortuary. Personal condolences may be sent to www.e lliottmortuary.com.