William John Grogan

The Celebration of Life Service will be livestreamed at: https://boxcast.tv/view/william-grogans-celebration-of-life-service-zipqdkijpt9j5fpsobdu

William (Bill) John Grogan, passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at the age of 87.   Bill was born on February 13, 1935, to Earl and Dorothy Grogan in Chanute, Kansas.  Bill was the eldest of 3 sons that included brothers Don and Gary.

Bill grew up in Chanute and was active in band and athletics during his high school years. He was also very active in the Baptist church. The Grogan family made church and church activities a priority in their lives. It was during one of these church activities that Bill met the love of his life…….Barbara Ann Wiggans.  They met at a roller skating outing and became fast friends. The rest is history!  They were married on September 5, 1954. (They continued to roller skate into their 40’s!)

After graduating from Chanute High School, at the age of 18, Bill took a job as an apprentice with Santa Fe Railway. Hard work and perseverance allowed him to work his way up the ranks to ultimately become the Head of the Mechanical Training Department.  Bill attended night school while in Topeka and completed an Associate’s degree.  This dedication to his job would include several moves from Chanute, KS to Cleburne, TX to Topeka, KS to Kansas City, KS and back to Topeka during his career. He would work for Santa Fe Railway for 36 years!

Bill and Barb started their family in 1955 having 4 children, Mike, Pat, Jean and Tom. There was never a dull moment with this crew!  Bill loved fast pitch softball and played for the church teams everywhere they went.  The kids had a great time at the games and went home tired and very dirty!  The entire Grogan family played softball, including Earl (Pop) Grogan. Sports were ever present in the Grogan household.  Bill also loved to hunt and fish on the Wiggans family farm, passing down that love to his children.

In addition to softball, Bill was a very skilled craftsman. He was the ultimate DIYer of his time.  There was nothing he couldn’t build or fix.  He was kept busy over the years doing house repairs, roofing, deck building, painting, fixing cars and just about anything that needed attention. After retirement the kid’s families kept him busy with all sorts of ‘projects’.  Bill and Barb still found time to work on crafts that they enjoyed making and donating, or giving as gifts.  Paintings, wood wall plaques and even jewelry boxes were some of the many items that came from their workshop.

Family, Faith and Church were paramount in Bill’s life.  He was the patriarch for the extended Grogan family. He spent the last several years caring for his beloved wife Barbara while still maintaining his ties with all of his extended family.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Dorothy Grogan.  Bill is survived by his loving wife Barbara Ann Grogan, brothers Don (Claire) Grogan and Gary (Jan) Grogan; 4 children….Mike (Karen) Grogan, Pat (Joanna) Grogan, Jean Weir and Tom (Sharon) Grogan.   13 Grandchildren……Brad (Erica) Grogan, Jeff (Jill) Grogan, Scott (Amber) Grogan, Becky (Klint) Dailey, Matt (Maggie) Grogan, David (Colleen) Weir, Brett (Sarah) Weir, Barbi (Hiram) Raby, Danny (Amanda) Weir, Malinda (Cory) Harden, Joel (Krystal) Grogan, Will (Kelly) Grogan, Wesley (Jacey) Grogan…….and 30 great grandchildren! 

A celebration of life service for William (Bill) John Grogan will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 3:00 PM at the First Baptist Church of Topeka.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association Heart of America Chapter, Attn: Joan Cabell, 3846 W. 75th Street, Prairie Village, KS 66208. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home. 

Private Interment will be held at a later date.

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit, www.brennanmathenafh.com

Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.