Billy L. Johannsen, age 61, died early Wednesday morning, June 29, 2011, at the Meade District Hospital, Meade, Kansas.

He was born September 15, 1949, at Dodge City, Kansas, the son of Wilhelm H. “Billy Jo” and Agnes Marie (Borchers) Johannsen. As a young boy he attended the Meade school system, graduating from Meade High School in 1968. Upon his graduation, he later attended Seward County Community College. He was a lifetime resident of Meade and Beaver County. He served the citizens of Meade County as a deputy sheriff for many years before pursing his passion for the old west as a chuckwagon operator.

He enjoyed roping, chuckwagon cooking, western history and cowboy poetry.

He married Kathy Evans on January 9, 1971 at Dickens, Texas. He later married Kathy Stone at Ashland, Kansas. The couple later divorced.

He is survived by:

A son, Dusty Johannsen of Liberal, Kansas

Two daughters, Tammy Farmer of Shallowater, Texas

Leann Taylor of Kingwood, Texas

A brother, Max Johannsen of rural Meade, Kansas

Seven grandchildren, Cody Weatherford, Tandi Taylor, Taci Taylor, Braydon Farmer,

Ashton Farmer, Clayton Johannsen, and Hadley Johannsen

Several nieces and nephews, including, Riki Stecklein, Benjy Johannsen, & Jimmy Johannsen.

He is preceded in death by his parents and a nephew and godson, Clayton Johannsen on February 13, 2011.

Celebration of life services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 9, 2011, at the Church of the Nazarene, Meade, Kansas, with the Reverends Jim Sutherland and Ron Willard presiding. As a request of Bill cremation has taken place. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

The family would welcome memorials to the charity