Special Issue - August 3, 2009

------------------- Bill Dignan Obituary --------------------

William "Bill" R. Dignan, 62, of Glendale, Arizona passed away on July 24, 2009. Bill was born on February 2, 1947 in Kansas City, Missouri to Ansel and Dorothy Dignan. Bill owned and operated TDI Contracting Co. He was a member of the Glendale Masonic Lodge # 23. Bill was the Shriners Past Captain in 1993 and sat on the Board of Directors for the Shriner's Hospital In Los Angeles. Bill is survived by his loving wife Pamela; children Pamela Wingett, Kelly-Brooke Dignan, Cody Dignan, Dean Wingett, and Dana Dignan; grandson Curtis Wingett; brother Patrick Dignan; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Chapel Peoria, AZ (623) 974-3671.
Published in The Arizona Republic on 8/2/2009 print

"Bill and I became friends many years ago. He was a good hearted sincere friend and Mason. His spearheading of the Phil Chandler Fund was a time consuming thing, but Bill showed his true friendship and commitment. I will miss him." Ken Back (Lafayette, LA)

Go To Guestbook.

Editorial comment: Lawrence Reeves took me to a Hanthorn Grade School carnival and much to my amazement here was this kid surrounded with black lights spinning his floresent laso and doing all sorts of tricks. Yes, that was my first encounter with this really cool cowboy named Bill Dignan. He later performed as a Rodeo Clown at the highest level of rodeo in the US. Bill was a great guy - it was an honor and pleasure to have known him.

------------------ New Pow Wow Date ------------

Pow Wow date is changing to November 7th. Marilyn and Jeannie are off to Branson on the earlier scheduled weekend and with no one to do the calling - seemed appropriate to change the date to one that was better supported. Thank you Ron and Barb for being flexible.

-------------------------- Johnny Cruz --------------------------

Johnny is getting better after open heart surgery. He is in the phone book. Call him for a chat.

-------------------------- Tom Sweargin's Brother ----------------

Timothy Gale Swearngin, 53, of Oak Grove, died Sunday, July 26, 2009 at Centerpoint Medical Center, Independence.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, July 30 at the Oak Grove United Methodist Church; burial in Oak Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to a scholarship fund to be established for his children, in care of Roberta Swearngin.

------------------- Donna Savage's Husband? ------------------

All - I am searching for a high school/college friend from the 50's-60's. His name is Joseph Lee Braughton. I noticed that a Donna & Joe Braughton have RSVP'd for the upcoming All Class Pow Wow IV - October 25, 2008. Since the last I heard from Joe he was in Missouri, I am wondering if that might be the Joe I am searching for. Could one/some of you mind checking to see if he went to school in Tulsa, OK, and if he did, tell him my name, email address and phone number? Perhaps he will contact me. If he is not the right Joe, perhaps he might be a relative of the one I am looking for (who would be about 67-68 now).

Thank you for your assistance.

Richard Kilgore

----------------------- Allen Bryson's surgery -----------------

From: Mary Bryson
Subject: Allen's Surgery
Date: Friday, July 17, 2009, 4:12 PM


Wanted to let you know Allen is through the surgery and he is doing good. The surgeon did not have to replace his aorta, which was great news for us and the surgeon. He did replace the aortic valve as planned. He will be in cardiac ICU probably until Monday and then be moved to a regular care room on the cardiac floor, I think. The nurse in CICU told me that he will probably be out most of today so he is getting that long nap he had hoped for. Thank you so much for your concern and prayers. We appreciate it more than you will ever know. Mary

---------------- This is a true story just weeks ago -----------

7:45 a.m. From: caylei.arnold
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 7:45 AM
To: Mike Becker
Subject: [SPAM] - William Chrisman Yearbooks/past classmates - Found
word(s) farm in the Text body

Hello-
My name is Caylei Arnold, I'm from Connecticut, and i was just browsing your school's website. I recently came across an old yearbook from William Chrisman High School. Its a class of 1961 yearbook belonging to a Mr. Morris E. Worden. He went by the name of "Ed" apparently as all of the writing inside the yearbook was addressed to "Ed". Along with the yearbook i found many older pictures of him, as well as some military things and photographs. Since he was a graduate in 1961, I'm guessing he served in Vietnam for the U.S. Army, as all of the photographs, badges,and military pins are U.S. Army.

I know that you have a class reunion group, as i saw it on the high
school's site, and i was wondering if you knew of a way to get in
contact with a person from there? I'm wondering if this person is still alive. I tried searching him on AnyWho.com but nothing came up from Connecticut.

I did search on another people finder website and he did show up on there with contact info leading to Missouri and Kansas, but i couldn't view it unless i paid money.

I found this stuff in a very old abandoned farmhouse here in Connecticut. It was apparently owned by one of the dairy farms
here that my boyfriend worked for, locally, and they just own the
property to farm it for corn. the house is completely falling down and the floors are caving in as is the roof. I went in there to photograph some of the things left in the house (old doors, windows, the old wood powered oven, etc.) Apparently this man's stuff was stockpiled in one room, as all of the other rooms were just about completely empty.

There were things in the room comming from Missouri and Kansas, both states were listed with this man on the people finder website. the Army Photopraphs were also marked from Kansas and his discharge number marked on the back of one of the photographs was 888. I also have one of his dog tags found with the rest of his things.

Anyways- after telling you all about what ive found about him and his
belongings that were rotting away and covered in mold, if you could put me in connection with someone from the reunion group, i'd love to see if they have any record of him, or are still in contact with him. If there is no record, I am wondering if your school would like to have the old yearbook, the military photographs and his military badges and pins?

Id be more than happy to mail them out to your school so they will be kept in a safe place and maybe, possibly on display somewheres in your school. I couldn't leave these things in the house because i knew they would slowly disappear with the house in the next few years. the house isn't going to be standing for much longer.

Anyways; please let me know as i'd love to find the right
place for these things to go. they deserve to be displayed or placed
back with their Mr. Worden if he is still alive. I already emailed the principle but thought i'd try emailing you since he is out of office. thanks so very much

July 16 e-mail
9:04 p.m. If you know anything about him, make sure you tell me too. Small world isn't it!
Robie Mathews
Chrisman Alumni Coordinator

July 16 e-mail
9:25 p.m. I just talked to his wife. They live in a senior high rise here in Independence. She still does. Ed died June 8, 2009. I?l contact her tomorrow with more information. I told her that his yearbook and dog tags had been found. Sherlock Mathews found her man.

-------------------- Ronnie Nichols ---------------------

Date: Thursday, July 16, 2009, 3:22 AM
Name ronald nichols
Email lynn55@....
Subject WCHS Update My Contact Information
Comments I am the Sister of Ronald Eugene Nichols, I want to inform you of his death that happened many years ago, i just have not had guts enought to contact ANY ONE

Remember this case for me? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards 15 posts - 10 authors - Last post: Jul 4
.... The Kansas City Star - September 1, 1999 ...
Convicted killer Alan Echols evaded the law for eight years before his capture last week Echols, of Raytown, stabbed Ronald Nichols 61 times in 1990 because he loved Nichols' wife. ...
Source: www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=73313 and The Kansas City Star - September 1, 1999 - B1 METROPOLITAN

----------------------------------------------------

That's all for now -
Take care,
Cecil Taylor

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Here is an update on Bill Dignan's Memorial Service.

William Robert (Bill) Dignan.
--------------------------------------------------------

The Examiner
Posted Aug 08, 2009 @ 01:11 AM

--------------------------------------------------------

Glendale, AZ � .Bill Dignan, 62, died at his home in Glendale, Arizona, on July 24.

He was born February 2, 1947 in Independence to his parents Dorothy (Warmington) Dignan and Ansel T. Dignan. Bill grew up in Independence graduating from William Chrisman High School in 1965.

During his childhood and youth Bill�s passions were horses and music. When his dad brought home Peanuts the pony Bill and his younger brother Pat became avid participants in the Rodeo Kids organization. Both were fearless horsemen ready for any challenge on horseback. Wearing the elaborate costumes created by their mother they preformed daring trick riding stunts to the delight of audiences at the American Royal and at local shows on the grounds of the Rodeo Kids on old 40 Highway.

In addition to first rate riding skills, Bill was also a talented musician singing and playing guitar. For many years he played with Rick West and Rick�s Rock and Roll Club. Later he formed his own local band The Epics.

In 1979 Bill left Missouri for California where he performed in rodeos as a contestant and as a rodeo clown. He took special pride in his association with his roping pal and good friends the actor Ben Johnson. They were known for their expertise in head-and-heel team roping.

Aware that rodeoing is a young man�s job Bill moved on to the Phoenix Arizona area where he applied his entrepreneurial skills becoming a successful business man. Bill owned and operated TDI Contracting Company building homes and commercial sites in and around Phoenix.

Never one to sit still he applied his special interests in active participation in the Masons and the Shriners. He was a member of the Glendale (Ariz.) Masonic Lodge #23, Shriner�s Past Captain in 1993 and sat on the Board of Directors for the Shriner�s Hospital in Los Angeles. He enjoyed participation in the Jesters a special group in the Shrine.

Never one to let his musical talent go to waste, Bill once again formed a band he called True Grit, a rock and roll group of older musicians who were in constant demand. Bill loved to perform always playing to his audience.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Dorothy and Ansel, a brother, Ansel, Jr., his maternal grandparents, Charlie and Violet Warmington, and his paternal grandparents, Frank and Pearl Dignan.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Pam, a son Cody, and a daughter Kelly Brook, all of Glendale, and daughter, Dana of Independence. Also surviving are his brother Patrick T. Dignan of Glendale, nieces, Aimee of Independence and Bailey of Modesto, Calif. He is also survived by many of his Warmington cousins who live in the Independence/Kansas City area.

Bill�s family invites all friends and acquaintances to attend a gathering honoring Bill�s life to be held Saturday, August 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Moose Lodge #10, 510 N. Sterling, Sugar Creek, Mo. For more information phone 816-254-4309.

----------------- From Sandi Myers -----------

Bad news about Dignan. Remember him doing that roping thing at like our seventh grade, eighth grade assemblies in the Memorial Building?

I hate getting old. Most of your email is about people dying and most of the time we see each other is at funerals.

Do you remember Doug Clements? Graduated Chrisman in '64.He was in Nashville for years being a topnotch studio musician? Did an album with k.d. lang, many others. Came back to Independence a couple of years ago. Had cardiomyopathy. Anyway, on July 25, Doug died! He was a hugely talented guy and snarky little snipe. What a good friend. KC Star had a nice article about him. http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1369411.html

Sandi Myers Soendker

--------------------- no longer want to be on our list ---------

To comply with SPAM laws we use a double opt in system for adding names to our list. We are almost less than a year away from the next reunion and it sure would let those on our mailing list know a lot more about what is being planned and even let them get their two-bits worth in during the planning process if they were on our mailing list. So, while you can click on the following link to get off our list -- if you want -- I am asking you to please get two of your Classmates to join our list. Why? A whole Classes mailing costs several hundred dollars plus printing costs. If every one on our current e-mail list got just two more classmates to sign up - we would be approaching 2/3 of a whole classes e-mailing list which costs us next to nothing. Money saved on postage is a cost that the reunion does not have to pass on to you and me. So - give it a go. See if you can sweet talk two classmates you personally like to join our e-mail list. Thanks - Cecil.

Only click on this link if you want off our mailing list

------------------------ From Connie Baird Trotter -----------

I hadn't thought about Bill Dignan in some time, but his death has brought
back lots of grade school memories. I had a really good friend at Hanthorn
Grade School, named Mikki Bratton. She lived next door to Bill and Pat
Dignan, just a little bit north of 23rd & what used to be 71 By-Pass. The
Dignan's had a white, fenced arena in the front of their acreage, and that
is where Bill practiced riding and roping tricks for the Rodeo Kids.
Several in our class went to Hanthorn Grade School -- Mike Kassen, Jane
McClary, Martha Taylor, Terry Whittle, Larry Withrow, Tom Wesner, to name
just a few. I think everyone will remember Bill doing rope tricks for all
of us, at the end of the school year, about the time of our annual "field
day." His father and mine were members of the same Masonic Lodge, as well
Shriners. It's hard to believe someone so active in life, could have already
departed this life. I feel the same when I think of Linda Christy Craig.

Connie Baird Trotter

------------------------ From Linda House Brooks ----------------

Thanks for the update on Bill and Doug. I'm with Sandi--it's kind of hard to always hear about our classmates dying, but it's still nice to hear about their lives since 1965. Since I now live out here in the "wild" west (Colorado), I would never see this stuff in the paper if I wasn't on this email list.

Linda (House) Brooks

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