Ben Burgess Witty, 79, of Wakefield, passed away on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at Stormont-Vail Health in Topeka, Kansas. He was born on May 6, 1945 in Parsons, Kansas, the son of Lyle Edward and Wilma Greenway (Hiatt) Witty.
Ben grew up in Parsons and graduated from Parsons High School in 1963. He received his Associates degree from Parsons Junior College in 1965 and his BS in Physical Education from Pittsburg State University, where he also played football. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in April of 1968 and served at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri through 1970. He returned to Pittsburg State University and completed his Masters degree in Kinesiology in 1972.
He began his teaching and coaching career at Piper High School in August of 1972, where he taught until 1975. He married Janita Marie Zink on June 15, 1975 and then began teaching at Bucklin, Kansas from August 1975 to May 1977, he then taught at Altoona-Midway from 1977 to May 1982, during which his first two daughters were born, Amanda in March of 1978 and Brook in September of 1979. In 1982, he began his long tenure with the Wakefield Schools, teaching various physical and life sciences and coaching from August 1982 until his retirement in May of 2003. His third daughter, Cayla, was born in February of 1985. Ben coached track and football for over 21 years and was involved with various basketball teams for over 40 years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Parsons, an avid golfer, served with the Wakefield Volunteer Fire Department for over 30 years and often worked during the summer at the Wakefield CO-OP.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Tim Witty and sister, Margaret “Peggy” Hastings
Ben is survived by his wife, Janita Witty of Wakefield, Kansas; three daughters, Amanda Witty and husband, Bryan Harrity of Overland Park, Kansas, Brook Witty of Marion, Kansas and Cayla Witty and husband, Nolan T. Jones of Las Vegas, Nevada; 2 grandchildren, Bennett and Eilis; his brother Clinton and wife, Jo Dee Witty of Parsons, Kansas and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be held from 4-7PM on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center, Kansas.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, September 13, 2024 at the United Methodist Church in Clay Center, Kansas.
Inurnment will be held at a later date in Parsons, Kansas.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Athletic Department of Wakefield Jr/Sr High School and can be sent in care of the funeral home.
