Willliam Arthur Sinclair...Age 86

VISITATION: 6-8PM FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014 ~ EDDY-BIRCHARD FUNERAL HOME

SERVICES: 2PM SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2014 ~ EDDY-BIRCHARD CHAPEL

BURIAL: OSAWATOMIE CEMETERY, OSAWATOMIE, KANSAS

MEMORIAL: CROSSROADS HOSPICE

Memorials may be sent in care of Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home P.O. Box 430, Osawatomie, Kansas 66064

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William Arthur Sinclair age 86, of Osawatomie, Kansas died Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at North Point Skilled Nursing Center in Paola, Kansas.

Bill was born September 10, 1927 in Ottawa, Kansas the eldest child of two, born to Glen Earl and Clara Ellen (Williamson) Sinclair.

He grew up in Ottawa and attended school there. Bill enjoyed swimming, fishing, and spending time with his friends.

Bill graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1946. Bill then attended Ottawa University, working as a milkman while going to college.


On February 26, 1948 he married his true love, Betty Jean Loree at the Ives Chapel Church in Baldwin, Kansas. They made their home in Baldwin, Kansas with her parents, commuting to KU until he graduated from college.

After graduating from KU he and Betty along with their first son Bill Jr. moved to Fort Scott, Kansas working a short time for a pharmacy there and also at Ash Drug Store in Pittsburg, Kansas. He only worked there until their second child, a daughter Susan was born in 1952. Bill was then offered a position from Fred Wicke owner of Rexall Drugs in Osawatomie, moving his little family to Osawatomie in 1952.

While his family continued to grow, having a second son Glen in 1955 and another daughter Rebecca in 1957, Bill worked many hours establishing his career as a pharmacist. Betty’s job was to take care of their home and children, thus establishing a loving partnership of sixty-five years.


On December 14, 1961 Bill purchased the Wicke Rexall Drug Store and became the proud owner of Sinclair Drug Store in Osawatomie.

Bill was involved in many business and civic groups in town. He became the President of the Golf Association in 1962, Chairman of the city Recreation Commission, elected to the School Board on April 3, 1963 and became President in 1966. He was also elected President of Holiday Manor Inc. on January 25, 1973, the first nursing home to be built in Osawatomie.

As his business flourished and was able to hire young pharmacists to help, Bill was able to finally become the family man he always wanted to be. His family had always come first, but now he was able to spend more time with them. Along came daughter number three Jill in 1969 with a third son Ryan following in 1974.

Bill and Betty were a team when it came to giving advice and listening to others problems. When one did not know about something the other one did. Whether it was about medicine, illnesses, car issues, home repairs, etc., they were pro’s.

After thirty-one years as an owner of a drug store he sold his business to Steve Auten on July 1, 1992. He worked part-time for Steve for many years until poor health prevented him.

He taught his children the value of working hard, being honest, and doing the right thing, even if it was difficult or uncomfortable. He had a way of seeing the brighter side of everything. He and his wife Betty worked together, raised a family together and spent over sixty-five years as man and wife until her death on August 9, 2013. Bill and Betty are together again and forever in our hearts.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and one infant son Ryan Justin Sinclair.

He is survived by five children: William P. (Nancy) Sinclair of Parker, Kansas, Susan I. (Sinclair) and Denis Sumrall of Paola, Kansas, Glen A. (Ann) Sinclair of Spring Hill, Kansas, Rebecca E. (Sinclair) and Kenneth Diehm of Osawatomie, Kansas and Jill (Sinclair) and Eric Halverson of Olathe, Kansas. Nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, as well as many step grandchildren and many other family and friends.