William Rafferty

Emmett-William G. "Bill" Rafferty, 59 passed away Thursday, March 1, 2018 at the Midland Hospice House in Topeka. He was born October 30, 1958 in Topeka, the son of William Keith and Eileen M. Zima Rafferty. Bill graduated from St. Marys High School in 1976. He had lived in the Emmett community all of his life. Bill had worked for Denton Auto Salvage the past several years. He had previously worked for the St. Marys Farmers Union COOP for 37 years. Bill enjoyed all sports and particularly liked watching and listening to the Royals. He loved spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Keith Rafferty, step-father, Kenny Knipp, step-brothers, Mark and James Niedfeldt. On September 26, 1981 Bill and Janet Banks were united in marriage in St. Marys. She survives of the home. Other survivors include his two daughters, Kelli (Joey) Pine, Maple Hill and Katie (Chris) Lobner, Olathe; his mother, Eileen Knipp, St. Marys; his step-mother, Dorothy Rafferty, Eskridge; brothers, Pat (Mary Beth) Rafferty, St. Marys, Frank Rafferty and Phil Rafferty both of Emmett; his sister Kathleen Love, Burlingame; step-brothers, David (Tammy) Niedfeldt, Eskridge, Richard (Mindy) Niedfeldt, Emmett and J.D. (Kelli) Kenney, Rossville; two grandchildren, Jaiden and Karleigh. Memorial services will be at 11:30 A.M. Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Emmett. The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice House and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.