William Herbert " Bill" Mikels, 85, of Hutchinson, passed away March 20, 2020, at Pleasant Hills, in Hutchinson.  Cremation has taken place.  Arrangements for a celebration of life are pending at this time and will be announced at a later date.

A little on the life of William Herbert Mikels

I was born on August 19, 1934 in Marshall, Saline County, Missouri to Herbert Davis Mikels and Mable Van Winkle Mikels.

I graduated from Marshall High School in 1952 and attended Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri.  I graduated from the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1956 with a BS in in Electrical Engineering.

In 1956, I enrolled in US Navy Flight Training and received my wings and carrier qualification in 1957.  I spent two years playing cat and mouse with Soviet War Ships and Planes in North Atlantic Arena during the Cold War.  Winter over the North Atlantic was no picnic.  After serving ten years on Active Duty and Naval Reserves I was released from Duty as a Lieutenant Commander in 1966.

I was employed as an engineer in Colorado in 1964.  I left that position and joined Trans World Airlines as a Captain.  After 26 years of service, I retired from TWA in 1989.  It was a wonderful career that Nora lived with me.  I would not trade it for anything!

On July 23, 1966, I married Nora Gray in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.  She survives.  Other survivors include 1 son, David William ( Darcy ) Mikels; 3 daughters, Mary Heather Mikels, Amanda Lisbeth Mikels, Jessica Diane ( Waldo) Mikels-Carrasco; and 10 wonderful grandchildren.

You may make memorial gifts to the Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County, or Dillon Nature Center, both of Hutchinson, Kansas and leave them in care of Old Mission-Heritage Funeral Home, 528 North Main Street, Hutchinson, Kansas 67501