W. J. (Bill) Light, age 89, died Thursday, October 18, 2012 at Pioneer Manor in Hugoton, Kansas. He was born September 25, 1923 on the farm in Morton County, Kansas, the son of William Clarence and Zula (Tarter) Light.

Bill was a lifetime resident and farmer of Morton County. He graduated from Rolla High School in 1942 and served in the Marines during World War II. Bill married Mardelle Cullison on August 18, 1946 in Coffeyville, Kansas. Bill was the Mayor for Rolla in the late 1950’s, and served two terms as State Representative in the mid 1960’s. He served on the board for the Morton County Hospital, Rolla School Board, Federal Land Bank in Guymon, Oklahoma and Garden City, Kansas, and Groundwater Management District 3, and was a real estate broker and appraiser. Bill belonged to the First Baptist Church and served as a Deacon.

Survivors include sons, Bill Light of Rolla, Kansas, David Light and wife Reneé of Rolla, Kansas; daughters, Nancy Light-Olson and husband Bruce of Houston, Texas, Peggy Light-Carswell and husband Vince of Oberlin, Kansas, Linda Light-Bushart and husband Lowell of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Ellen Light-Hall and husband Bret of Rolla, Kansas; brother, James Light of Rolla, Kansas`; sisters, Elsie Holcomb of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Lesta Lou Muse of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; 20 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mardelle, on February 28, 1988; brothers, Gale Light, Wayne Light, Paul Light; sisters, Dorothy Cullison, Edna Gilbert, Helen Girling; and grandson, Richie Perry, on September 17, 1988.

Funeral service will be held Monday, October 22, 2012 at 10:00 AM at the United Methodist Church in Rolla with Pastor Charles Mendenhall officiating. Interment will follow at the Rolla Cemetery in Rolla. Friends may call Sunday, October 21, 2012 from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Hugoton. Memorial contributions may be given to the Rolla Pentecostal Church Food Outreach in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 423 S Main, Hugoton, KS 67951.