William Peak

William J. (Bill) Peak, born October 10, 1925 to James B. & Edna M. Ryan Peak in rural Girard, died in his sleep from natural causes on October 31, 2010.

He attended schools in Kirkwood and Langdon.  He worked for Pittsburg Lumber and Bozick Tire Company while living in Pittsburg. Bill entered the Army Air Corp in September, 1943. He served in England during the war as a crew member (radio operator and gunner) on a B24 Liberator aircraft and was discharged with honors in October, 1945.

After the war, he opened a cabinet shop and later became a master builder and contractor. Bill constructed apartment complexes, commercial structures, and private residences across the country. Bill was the co-owner of Mid Plains Construction and founder of Peak Builders in Lawrence where he oversaw such projects as Hawks West and Brandon Woods. Everyone who knew Bill would testify to his integrity, his organization and management skills and his tender spirit. He was loved and respected by countless friends and business associates and adored by his family.

Bill is survived by his wife of twenty-four years LaVaughn Kastl Peak, Additional survivors include: two daughters: Linda (Al) Kent of Jefferson City, MO and Carolyn Sue (Larry) Loy of Mount Vernon, MO and one son: Larry (Evelyn) Peak of Girard, KS; his four step children: Peggy (Mike) Lasher of Nevada, Beverly (Robert) Gossage of Eudora, Marilyn Pearse of Baldwin, and Howard (Kim) Kastl of Lawrence; a combined total of twenty grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren; two brothers: Joe Peak of Pelzer, SC and Leo Peak of Pittsburg Ks and three sisters: Margaret Hayden of Topeka, KS, Angie Patterson and Joan McGeorge of Pittsburg Ks, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Eula Anne Peak and Trudy Lewis, one brother, Pat Peak, one nephew Randy Peak, and his stepson and business partner, Curtis Kastl.

The visitation on Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 at the Warren-McElwain Mortuary and the services on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at Clinton Parkway Assembly of God both in Lawrence, Kansas. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Highland Park Cemetery in Pittsburg, KS.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given to the Manitowoc Wisconsin Salvation Army Corp.