William Funke

William (Bill) Henry Funke passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022 at the age of 97.

Bill was born on April 2, 1925 and grew up in Atchison, Kan., during the Depression. When WWII broke out, he enlisted and served in Company A, 17th Armored Infantry Battalion (AIB), of the 12th Armored Division "Hellcats," US Army. Serving as a scout and a runner on the front lines in France, he was captured in January 1945 and held in a German POW camp (Stalag II-B). After being liberated, he received the Bronze Star as well as the Purple Heart for shrapnel injuries he received in a grenade explosion just befor...