William Eli Stark's Obituary
William Eli Stark 73, of Columbus, KS died 12:14am Wednesday June 17, 2026 at the Wesley Hospital in Wichita, KS following an illness.
William was born March 27, 1953 in Chanute, KS the son of Leslie Eugene and Addie Mae (Lakey) Stark. He attended area Chanute schools. He later moved to Liberal, KS and most recently been apart of the Columbus community for the last 30 years. William was a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
On December 1, 1972 William married Linda Faye Spence in Chanute,KS; she preceded him in death on December 24, 2021. William worked as a Brick Layer working for Robert Spence Masonry for over 20 years. He also enjoyed wood working in his free time.
William was of the Christian Faith; a member of the West Mineral Eagles; he enjoyed gardening; fishing and had a deep love for animals.
Survivors include his daughters Sheila Stark and husband Kenneth Medlam of Colwich,KS, Lisa Wood of Wichita, KS, Julie Jones and husband Waylon of El Dorado, KS and Karen Snyder of Columbus, KS; adopted son Donald Snyder and wife Storm Vaughn of Columbus, KS; his mother Addie Mae Stark of Garnett, KS; siblings Terry Stark of California and Edna Henderson and husband Dave of Garnett, KS and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
William was preceded in death by his father, son Christopher Lee Stark, siblings Doris Jean Baker and James Allen Stark and grandchildren Cody Snyder, Christopher Lee Wood and Mason Allen Medlam.
Graveside Services will be 1:30pm Thursday June 25, 2026 at the Ft. Scott National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, KS with Pastor Duane Elmore officiating. Full Military Honors will conclude the services. Linda Stark will also be interred at the graveside services. In lieu of flowers the family asks expressions of sympathy to be in the form of memorials to West Mineral Eagles. Friends may drop off or mail memorials to Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 611 S. East Avenue Columbus, KS 66725. Condolences may be left at https://www.bathnaylor.com. Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Columbus, KS.
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