It is with profound sadness, that I announce the death of my dad, Billy J. Alumbaugh. He passed away peacefully on September 26, 2022, surrounded by his family in Larned, KS.
My dad loved gardening, landscaping, and spending time with his family. Billy was especially fond of his grandchildren and was so excited to meet his new great-granddaughter, Claire, who is expected to be here soon.
Billy was born May 8, 1955, in Chula Vista, CA, and lived in Nickerson, Hutchinson, Turon, Lincoln, and most recently, Larned. He graduated from Nickerson High School in 1973 and worked as a laborer. He served in the United States Army from July 1973 to March 1976.
My dad could plant anything in the ground, and it would blossom into the most beautiful masterpiece. He tried in vain each year to teach me his craft, but finally succumbed to the realization that I just did not have the “magic touch” and allowed me to water his plants instead (but not too much and only during certain times of the day)! Billy loved mowing yards – any yard with any type of mower and at any time of the day. He knew exactly how to perfectly care for and maintain the most beautiful yards. Billy was also known for his beautiful food gardens that he planted every year.
Throughout his life, my dad was known for many things; making friends easily, helping anyone in need, loving his family, and being one of the most accident-prone people you had ever met. Billy’s stories of injury and near-death experiences always ended in a mixture of disbelief and belly laughs from his captivated audiences.
Billy is survived by the love of his life, Debra Alumbaugh – a woman who should be considered for sainthood solely by withstanding all the stitches, broken bones, surgeries, car wrecks, explosions, electrocutions, lightning strikes, snake bites, and other traumatic events she witnessed during their 46 years together.
Other survivors include: his daughter, Jessica (David) MacMahon; grandchildren, MacKenzie (Preston) Pittman, David (Brandy Trengove) MacMahon, and Sarah MacMahon. Anytime he spoke about us, it brought a smile to his face and he always said that he was so proud of all of us and the people we turned out to be.
He is also survived by: his brothers, Don Michael (Kathy) Minnich of East Mountain, TX, and Mark (Carolyn) Blair of Longview, TX; sisters, Tammy (Rusty) Yarborough of McPherson, KS, Tammy Vincent of Marshall TX, and Vicky (LeRoy) Kuzel of Washington state; sisters-in-law, Kimberly and the late Melvin Hooker, and Vicki Dority and the late John Holmes; brother-in-law, Mitchell Dority; and a plethora of nieces and nephews, family, and friends.
Billy was preceded in death by: his adoptive parents, Faye and Dwight Alumbaugh; birth parents, Joe (Stella) Brackeen and Daile (Jerry) Harris; brothers, Randy Brackeen, Rodney Minnich, and Jerry Harris; and sisters, Gaile Long, Terry Scroggins, Darlene Pryor, and an infant sister.
A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, October 3, 2022, at the South Hutchinson Community Building, 101 West Avenue C, South Hutchinson, KS. Military honors will be conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Family and friends are invited to stay for a light meal after the service.
Honorary casket bearers are David MacMahon, David J. MacMahon, Brandon Brewer, William Demoret, James Manges, and Preston Pittman.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Billy J. Alumbaugh Memorial Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS.
Our family would also like to thank Irene Johnson, RN, with Kindred Hospice, Hutchinson, the nursing staff and Dr. Herwich at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital in Larned for their compassionate care.