William Joseph Montgomery, 90, died Jan. 17, 2011, at Promise Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson.

He was born Dec. 16, 1920, in Topeka, Kan., the son of George Gilbert and Emma Evelyn Orr Montgomery.

He graduated from Albia High School, Albia, Iowa, in 1939 and Sterling College, Sterling, Kan., in 1946. He served four years in the Army Air Corp during WWII and then returned to finish college. He married Barbara Jean Ball Jan. 12, 1946, in Garden City, Kan. He then taught high school English and history in Claflin, Kan., until recalled during the Korean Conflict. He remained in the United States Air Force as a meteorologist until retiring to Phoenix in 1976. He and Barbara lived in Phoenix for 27 years, returning to Kansas in 2003 to be closer to family. He was a member of the Clan Montgomery Society, the Caleadonian Society and was an elder in the Calvin Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Phoenix. In Hutchinson, he was a member of the Emanuel Lutheran Church.

He is survived by two daughters, Mary Ball and husband Roger of Hutchinson, and Myrna Vardeman and husband Kenneth of Overland Park, Kan.; and a grandson, William Vardeman of Overland Park. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Jean, Aug. 2, 2007, and a grandson, Douglas W. Ball.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011, at Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kan., with Pastor Don Huitink presiding. Military honors will be conducted by the Whiteman Air Force Base Honor Guard. Friends may call 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Emanuel Lutheran Church in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, Hutchinson.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a personal message for William's family.