Billy Gene ‘Bill’ Durbin, 89, of Hutchinson, died April 9, 2022, at Hospice House. He was born October 3, 1932, in Hutchinson, the son of Ephie and Edith (McKenna) Durbin.
Bill graduated from Pratt High School in 1950 and worked as a machine operator for the Santa Fe railroad for 2 years. He served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1972 as an air traffic controller, retiring as a Master Sergeant. He earned a second retirement with Hutchinson USD 308, where he worked as a locksmith for 21 years. For many years he showed prize winning geese and ducks at the Kansas State Fair and later became a judge for that division. Bill enjoyed drawing, woodworking and devoted many hours helping local organizations and friends with their carpentry projects.
Bill was a member of New Life Christian Church, State Fair Promenaders, American Legion Lysle Rishel Post #68, Retired Master Sergeant’s Association, Air Force Sergeant’s Association, and Hutchinson Area Retired School Personnel Association.
On April 10, 2004, he married Shirley A. (Williams) Mitchell in Hutchinson. She survives.
Also surviving are: daughter, Jodi Miller, Hutchinson; granddaughters, Cyndi (Scott) Burr, Hutchinson, Anna Miller, Sterling, Vicky (Joshua) Spell, Hutchinson; ten great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; stepchildren, Gregory (Mary Ellen) Mitchell, Houston, TX, Brenda (Craig) Carlile Fort Collins, CO; step-grandchildren; Julie Devlin (Daniel Moncrief), Chicamauga, GA, Gregory Allen Mitchell II, Jacksonville, FL, Tanner, Cameron, and Lydia Mitchell, Houston, TX, Adrienne Carlile (Joel Turnham) New York, NY, Drew (Melissa) Carlile, Arvada, CO; three step-great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Judy Durbin, Hutchinson; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Bill was preceded in death by: his parents; son, James Edward Durbin; grandson, William Allen Durbin; one sister; five stepbrothers; and one stepsister.
Funeral service will be Thursday, April 14, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., at Elliott Chapel, with Pastor John Frey officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, with military honors by McConnell Air Force Base Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, with family present to receive friends Wednesday from 6-8 p.m., at Elliott Mortuary.