William "Bill" Bergmann

William “Bill” Henry Bergmann, 74, was born on December 17, 1950, to George and Betty (Murray) Bergmann in Beloit, Kansas. He departed this life on Saturday, December 13, 2025. He spent his last moments out in the country where he loved to be.

Bill grew up in Beloit and attended St. John’s Catholic School (Class of 1968). In 1982, he married Madonna Miller in the church they bought and made their home. To this union of 43 years, four daughters were born: Jessica, Christina “Tina”, Billie Jean and Josephine “Josie”.

Many knew him as “Wild Bill”and “Willy Wong” with the right amount of feistiness, fun, and kindness. If you knew Bill there was always a wild story to be shared by friends and family. Bill had nicknames for everyone, including his vehicles. He owned and operated B&J Auto in Simpson and was a legendary engine builder. His engines had a unique, distinct sound. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and racing.

Bill’s daughters got their work ethic, perfectionism, and mechanic skills from spending many summers in his shop. He also enjoyed teaching his daughters how to shoot rifles, hunt, and fish. Bill was a volunteer firefighter, the former mayor of Simpson, and helped many farmers when needed. He liked to spend his time after retirement slowly cruising the countryside, driving to town, and watching over Simpson. People remember his daily morning drives and visits at Pump Mart, Bumper to Bumper, and Krier’s.

Bill was a protector of those he knew and loved. Many found comfort and hope in his presence. Bill was a quiet strength. He was true to himself his entire life, never giving in to the norm of what others might think. He walked his own path, and if you were lucky enough to be a part of that, you walked it with him. His greatest pride came from his daughters and grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Betty Bergmann, his father and mother-in-law, Gerald and Sandra “Sandy” Miller, his sister, Patricia Waltman, his sisters-in-law, Sarah Bergmann, Eileen Bergmann, and Nancy Bergmann, his niece, Elizabeth “Lizzy” Cropek, and his nephew, William “Billy Jo” Wysocki.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Madonna (Miller) Bergmann, of Simpson, daughters, Jessica (Mark) Newell, of Olathe, Tina (Jason) Carr, of Beloit, Billie Jean (Bobby) Graham, of Topeka, Josie (Chuck) Burke, of Beloit, grandchildren Elena and Olivia Newell, Grant Goodaker and Breckyn Carr, Raelyn Graham, Charlie, Halle and Quincy Burke, brothers Richard Bergmann, of Salina, Paul Bergmann, of Cawker City, Dennis (Annie) Bergmann, of Concordia, and Donnie (Pat) Bergmann, of Beloit, sisters Michele (Byron) Coffman, of Winfield, and Marlene Giebler, of Nixa, Missouri, brother-in-law, Kevin Miller, of Glasco, sister-in-law Rhona (Jim) Cash, of Shawnee, and many nieces and nephews.

He always reminded us to just put him in the back of a race car instead of a hearse and bury him in his ’69 Camaro. Therefore, we are requesting that anyone with a hot rod to help us usher him to his final resting place.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 AM, Thursday, December 18, 2025, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Beloit. Visitation will be from 1-4 PM Wednesday, December 17, 2025, with family present from 3-4 PM, at Roberts Family Funeral Home and a rosary vigil at 5:30 PM at St. John’s Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Simpson Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. John’s Parish.