William Richard Aye
February 19, 1929 - August 10, 2014
Obituary
MIDDLETON-William Richard Aye, age 85, passed away on Sunday, August 10, 2014, at Oakwood Village, Madison. He was born on February 19, 1929, in Manhatten, Kansas, the son of Mary Adda Boone and Herbert A. Webb. William was united in marriage to Eunice Jean Miller on November 6, 1954 in Kansas City, MO. He was a 1955 graduate of Kansas State University, a member of Signa Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and served as an airman in the United States Air Force. Bill worked as an agent for Northwestern Mutual Life from 1956-68, Director of Training for Mass Mutual of Springfield, MA from 1969-75; an assistant general agent for Mass Mutual in Grand Rapids, MI., from 1975-83 and National Guardian Life & FBMC from 1984 until retirement in 2009. Bill loved sports, hunting, fishing, boating and was a licensed pilot. He was a basketball enthusiast and served as team member for K-State 1951 National Runner Up Team. He was also a player, coach and district chairman for the Missouri Valley AAU. He served as a member of the US Olympic Men’s Basketball committee from 1969- 1973. Bill is survived by a daughter Karen (Joseph)Aye-Nartowicz and their children, Joseph Nartowicz, III and Maggie Nartowicz; a son Scott William (Diane D.) Aye and their children, Katherine Aye Kadar, Lt. Christine Aye and William Aye. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Katherine Aye and his wife, Eunice M. Aye. The family would like to extend personal thanks to Dr. Barbara Stowe-Carpenter and her staff, Theresa and Peggy, for their compassionate care over the years. We would also like to thank all of Bill’s friends at Middleton Glen for their friendship and support they extended to both Bill and Eunice during their lives. A private memorial service will be held at a later date in his beloved Bay Lake, Minnesota.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Avenue
(608)831-6761
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Memories
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Larry Weigel
Other •
Bill became my friend after including him in a special book for legendary basketball coach Fred Tex Winter who was an assistant to Kansas State basketball coach in 1947 when Bill became the first basketball manager for Kansas State. Bill and I had many phone conversations during the past three years and even though we never met face to face, we felt connected in many ways as Bill shared his family history with me. I wrote a tribute to Bill earlier this year as part of a blog series called Triangulate News which featured many former Kansas State basketball greats including coaches, managers like Bill and other players who played for Kansas State dating back as far as the 1930's. I will miss those frequent calls from Bill and want the family to know how much he loved all of you. I will send out a notice of Bill's death to our Triangulate mailing group which comprises about 600 households throughout the country. Farewell Bill.... you've had a great life and I will always remember you. Larry Weigel, Publisher and Editor of Triangulate News, 1011 Poyntz Ave. Manhattan, Ks 66502 785-537-0366.
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Edward Seaton
Other •
Karen and Scot,
Your father was a prince of a man and great fried to me and all. We just returned from Bay Lake where we talked several times about Bill and your family. Just days before his death we talked to Jack Ruttger about him, who said he and Ann had recently seen him in Madison. Please know that we loved Bill and will miss him. We undoubtedly will continue to tell the same stories of our exploits together in Crow Wing County, Minn. We know you will miss him.
If you defer on the Bay Lake memorial service until next summer, we hope you will schedule it in August when we plan to be there.
Sincerely,
Edward and Karen Seaton
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Dick Seaton
Other •
Karen and Scott: I have known and admired Bill my entire life--both in Manhattan and at Bay Lake, but also in Topeka where we both lived in the 1960's. I spoke with him in July while we were at the lake, and like all our conversations it was very enjoyable. Among my many memories of him one is riding in the Boone Chris Craft while he was riding the surfboard at about 14 years of age. He was exceptional in his loyalty and generosity, and I will really miss him. Dick Seaton