William E. “Bill” Friday, 81, died Saturday at Skaggs Hospital in Branson, Mo.

He was born June 25, 1930, in Hillsboro to William and Anna (Klein) Friday. He married Iris Stine April 1, 1956. She preceded him in death. He later married Thelma Jean “T.J.” Spellman on June 28, 1997, and she survives.

He was a member of Salem United Methodist Church in Newton. Bill was retired from the Santa Fe Railroad where he worked as a carman. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea.

Friday is survived by his wife; two sons Mike Friday of Mulvane and Ron Friday of Hutchinson; one daughter Debbie Davis of Wichita; one stepson Shawn Spellman of Olathe; one stepdaughter Cindy Branson of Hutchinson; and four grandchildren.

Friday was preceded in death by his first wife; his parents; two sisters, Pearl and Bertha Brooks, and seven stepbrothers.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Salem United Methodist Church in Newton with the Rev. Nancy Crowl presiding. Visitation will be 5 to 9 p.m. today at Petersen Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Military graveside service will be in the Restlawn Gardens of Memory Rural Newton.