The Rev. William Joseph Bullock, age 88, of Atchison, KS, passed away at home, on June 22, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones. He was welcomed by our Lord into the biggest family reunion in Heaven. Joe was born January 7, 1936, to Julius and Lillian (Franklin) Bullock at their home a quarter mile from Bendena, KS and was given the nickname of "Billy Joe."

Billy Joe attended Bendena School and later transferred to Troy High School, Troy, KS. He then attended and graduated from Highland Jr. College, Highland, KS. During college he joined Air National Guard. After he graduated, he met June Reid, and it was love at first sight. They married on February 10, 1957, at First Christian Church, Atchison, KS. They made their home in rural Bendena where he began married life as a farmer and worked at the foundry in Atchison, KS. During this time, he felt the call to become a minister. He tried to ignore it as he was the only son, and the expectation was for him to eventually take over the family farm. In addition, he had 3 young children and a pregnant wife to consider. However, the call to serve was great, so in January of 1963 he left the farm to pursue the ministry. He graduated from Midland Lutheran College, Fremont NE, in the spring of 1966 then enrolled in Central Lutheran Seminary in Fremont, NE. When that seminary closed, he transferred to Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. He graduated with a Master of Divinity in 1969 and was ordained into the Lutheran Church of America (LCA) at Salina, KS in 1969.

Joe served as pastor of six Lutheran churches (LCA//ELCA) in his 35 years of active ministry: Peace Lutheran, Rogers, AR; St. John Lutheran, Lanham, KS & Zion State Line, Hollenberg, KS; Christ Lutheran, Ellis, KS; New Gottland Lutheran, New Gottland, KS; and his home church, St. John Lutheran, Bendena, KS. In 2004 he retired to rural Atchison where he was able to remain active member of St. John church. After retiring he was involved in Habitat for Humanity, helped with the Farmers' Market, participated in the Archaeological Association, Genealogy Society, and Historical Society, and attended a daily coffee club.

Joe was a devoted and loving husband. He taught his children to work hard but he also taught them to have fun. Joe was a jack of all trades, including, wood working, sewing, cooking, and he could fix all manner of vehicles and other mechanical devices. He organized a traveling youth group called "The Wheels of Faith" where its young members affectionately referred to him as "Daddy Joe." He was the greatest storyteller and never knew a stranger. He always had a large garden and always kept busy, except for a 20-minute nap after lunch.

Joe is survived by, his wife June; his son, Joe (Sharon) Bullock and daughters, Dea (Basil) Yanke, Shelly Stohs, Brenda Bullock, and Nancy (Chris Phipps) Bullock, 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, sisters and their husbands, Helen and William Thurlow and Wilma and Robert Thorne, brother-in-law, Paul Reid, and nephew, Gary Thorne.

A Celebration of Life Service will be, Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 4 pm at St. John Lutheran Church, Bendena, KS. Memorials: St. John's Lutheran Church, Bendena, Kansas. Flowers and donations can be sent to the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home, P.O. Box 426 Wathena, Kansas 66090.
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Source: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/william-joseph-bullock-obituary?id=55431580