Funeral Services for William David Deel Jr., 54, Wakarusa, will be 11 am, Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at Highland Heights Christian Church, 2930 SE Tecumseh Rd, Tecumseh, KS 66542. Visitation will be 5-7 pm, Monday, February 3, 2025 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
Wm. David Deel, Jr. was born November 19, 1970 in Lawrence, Kansas to Bill and Kathy Deel. He attended Cordley Elementary, Central Junior High and Lawrence High schools. He graduated in 1988. After which he attended Kansas University for a short time.
He grew up being active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, Little League football and baseball. He was active in his church’s puppet ministry and a member of Central Junior High’s Excalibur choir. David was part of the Lawrence High football team winning two state championships.
David’s hobbies included pony stock racing at Thunder Hill Speedway, barbeque competitions, and fireworks displays. His friends and family all loved it when he started up the smoker as they knew good things were about to happen. He had become an avid fly fisherman, often catching his limit within the first hour of fishing. David had been a licensed pyrotechnician for over 27 years, helping with the large displays at Arrowhead and Royals stadiums as well as large displays in other large cities. He took on the displays for Baldwin City, both their 4th of July and Christmas shows, and for the Overbrook 4th of July celebration. He retired from ‘shooting the big stuff’ in 2023, but continued to provide a display for his neighbors, family and friends in his front yard the week before the 4th.
David started his working career throwing the paper for the Lawrence Journal World, followed by working at Bucky’s and Furrs before working several years for Davol until they closed their doors. He then worked a short time for Bud Jennings Carpet One in Lawrence before moving on to Rehrig Pacific in DeSoto. David then went to work for Chem-Trade which is now called TreCora in north Lawrence. He was entering his 15th year with them at the time of his death.
David was an amazing friend to all he came in contact with. He could be counted on to offer help or just be a shoulder to lean on. David had returned to his faith in God and found a home at the Highland Heights Christian Church in Tecumseh, KS. He purchased a home in rural Wakarusa, KS in order to make a home for himself and his mother. He loved country living.
David was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents, his father, Bill, and his younger brother, Jeff, his uncles, Jim and Roy Deel, and cousin, Susan. He is survived by his mother, Kathy, his uncle, Phil Lamb (Lynn) of Winston-Salem, NC, his uncle, Sam (Margy) of Northfield, MN, his aunt Connie Deel of Tijeras, New Mexico, his aunt Ronda Deel, of Cincinnati, OH. He is also survived by his cousins, Sarah Fox-Deel (Sean) Katie and Elliott of Northfield, MN, Chapin Deel (Marie) Araceli and Lorena of Albuquerque, NM, Nathan Deel (Holly) Avilynn and Holland of Topeka, Kansas and Mattie Cooper (Kayla) of Stanley, NM and a host of extended family and friends.
Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com
