William Dale “Bill” Hurst, age 82, resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, died late Sunday, May 23, 2010, at Mercy Hospital. He was born March 15, 1928, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Earl D. Hurst and Iris Ellen Ragin Hurst. Bill graduated from the Fort Scott High School and later enlisted with the United States Air Force. He married Donna M. McBride on March 9, 1953, at Fort Scott, Kansas. She preceded him in death on June 1, 1983. Bill had worked as the News Director for Fort Scott Broadcasting, KOMB/KMDO radio, for thirty-five years. He had served on the Fort Scott Recreation Commission and the Fort Scott Planning Commission. Bill also served on the Mercy Hospital Advisory Board from 1977 – 1981. He was known as the “Voice of Fort Scott” for his many years in broadcasting; Bill also had a speaking role in the 1968 Gordon Parks film, The Learning Tree.

Survivors include his special friend, Chlorine Briggs, of Fort Scott; a brother, James Hurst, Greenwood, South Carolina; two nephews whom he helped raise, John Michael Stockwell, Plattsmouth, Nebraska and James Patrick Stockwell, Oriental, North Carolina. Also surviving are several other nieces and nephews including, David Cullop, Waller, Texas and Phyllis Rice, Grove, Oklahoma; several great-nieces and great-nephews and many many friends. In addition to his wife, Donna, he was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and two sisters.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 1:30 P.M. Friday, May 28, 2010, at the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Sharing Bucket and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at www.cheneywitt.com.