BUCKLIN – Bill C. Matzen, 96, died Friday, February 12, 2021 at Hill Top House in Bucklin.

He was born March 25, 1924 in Sedgwick County, Kansas, the son of Jim and Ella (Schroeder) Matzen.  He was a graduate of Viola High School and farmed near Viola until moving to Bucklin in 1960.  He was the manager of Bucklin Grain from 1960 until retiring in 1988.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman and annually went to the Rocky Mountains elk hunting as well as to Canada fishing. He was always going out to "check the wheat" but he always seemed to have his shotgun with him.

After Bill retired in 1988, they bought a farm in Greenwood County, KS right on the Verdigris River and spent the next twenty five years fishing and working on their farm.

He was a member of the Lions Club in Bucklin as well as the National Rifle Association and National Wild Turkey Federation.

On November 10, 1946 he married June P. Hancock in Oklahoma.

Survivors include: his wife of 74 years, June, Bucklin; 3 sons, Sam Matzen and wife Sheryl, Florence, Arizona, Dr. Ted Matzen, Leech Lake, Minnesota and Ken Matzen, rural Greenwood County, Kansas; 2 sisters, Pat Seimens and husband Jim, Hutchinson and Bonnie Konecny and husband John, Portland, Washington; 9 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 4 brothers, Jim, Dick, Don and Jack Matzen, 3 sisters, Helen Nighswonger, Peg Stinson and Hazel Dalbom and a grandson, Clayton Matzen.

Private family services will be held at a later date.  There will be no public viewing, cremation has taken place.

The family suggests memorials to Hill Top House or the Salvation Army both in care of Minnis Mortuary, 1901 N. 14 ^th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.