William David (Bill) Compton, 63 passed away Wednesday, May 10, 2023 in Rushkin, FL. Bill was born July 21, 1959 in Pittsburg, KS, the son of Thomas F. and Bonnie L (Hoop) Compton. He was raised in Pittsburg and attended St. Mary’s Elementary, Washington Elementary, Lakeside Junior High and Pittsburg High School.
Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1976. He attained the rank of Sergeant before he was honorably discharged in 1992. In his role as an army medic, Bill earned several commendations and ribbons including the Army Commendation Medal for directing the rescue of a soldier from a burning tank. While serving in Korea Bill met Yi Hwa Cha. They married February 23, 1987 in Seoul, South Korea. They had two children: A daughter, Elaine and a son Kang. After leaving the service, Bill and family settled in Illinois where he worked for and attended class at the University of Champaign – Urbana. In 2015 they moved to Florida.
Bill is survived by his wife, Hwa Cha of the home in Rushkin, FL; his son, Kang Compton (Subrina) of Apollo Beach, FL; his daughter, Elaine Penrod (Wyatt) of Eugene, OR; grandchildren, Piper Penrod, Asher Compton, and Arya Compton. Additional survivors include: three sisters; Nancy Smith (John) of Pittsburg, KS; Rebecca Casey (Rick) of Grove, OK; Catherine Henderson (Allan) of Topeka, KS; three brothers; Thomas Compton (Sharon) or Pittsburg, KS; Stephen Compton of Lees Summit, MO and Michael Compton (Mary) of Independence, KS and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Bonnie Compton, a sister Connie Engle and his maternal and paternal grandparents.
A graveside service with inurnment of cremains will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 21, 2023 at the Rosebank Cemetery in Mulberry, KS with Father Andrew Labentz officiating. Relatives and friends are asked to gather at the grave site.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Mulberry Kansas Funeral Dinner fund. Donations may be left at or sent to: Bedene Funeral Home, 517 E. Washington, Box 621, Arma, KS 66712.
Local arrangements are under the care of Bedene Funeral Home of Arma, KS.
Condolence(1)-
Brian Frihart says
July 22, 2023 at 1:43 amMy name is Brian Frihart and attended Bill’s service today. Very well done and I never realized he had such a huge family. I’ve got a few things I want you to know about his impact on my life. And the extended effect it had on me personally and professionally. More than can possibly be articulated here. I’m not on FB or social media. I do have a gmail account if you’d like to reach out. You will hopefully be in a way inspired, amused and enlightened. He was like a true brother to me although we lost touch years back. I could call him out of the blue and it was like we’d just spoken the week before. Loved the man.