William Charles "Bill" Girard, age 79, of Manhattan, died February 22, 2024, at his residence, with his wife and children by his side.
One of six children, Bill was born September 16, 1944, in Concordia, Kansas, the son of Gaspard Julian and Alma Beatrice (Ribordy) Girard. On September 1, 1967, in Manhattan, he was married to Mary P. Roberts. Together they raised their three children, Susan, Sandi, and Andrew.
Bill graduated from Clyde High School in 1962 and attended Kansas State University. He worked for Cash Lumber and Hardware for nearly 20 years and then for 26 years at Kansas State University as the Renovation Group Manager for Housing and Dining Services, retiring in 2017. Bill was tremendously hard-working and talented in all areas of construction. Whether he was building his family home, where they have resided for 45 years, building the family pool, making furniture and toys for his children and grandchildren, or working with Mary handcrafting small items for their craft business, Bill's talents were endless, and he was tireless and loving in providing for his family.
In his younger years, Bill enjoyed travelling the region, packing the family in their camper, and racing in motorcycle scrambles each weekend. Bill was the number one ranked racer in Kansas and always described by his competitors as one of the best racers they ever saw. Bill's racing competitors became close friends and extended family. Bill would light up when reminiscing about those racing adventures and the weekends spent with friends and kids. While he thoroughly enjoyed it, like many of us, some of Bill's greatest struggles may have been on the golf course. Nonetheless, Bill was a great golf fan and enjoyed playing golf with his friends from work and especially his grandkids. Bill was a huge Elvis fan. His family will always smile remembering his Elvis "snarl", always followed by Bill's infectious giggle.
Bill's greatest love, and his greatest accomplishment, was his family. He was selfless, loving, supportive, and everything that anyone could ask for as a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Bill will be missed. But more importantly, he will be remembered for all that he was and all that he meant to family,
Mary survives of the home. Additional survivors include his three children: Susan Bloom, Olathe: Sandi Renz (Charles "Skeeter") Salina: and Andy Girard (Meaghan) Wamego, Eight Grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren with his 8th arriving any day.
Funeral service will be held Friday March 1, 2:00pm, at Yorgensen-Melon-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502. Visitation with the family will be held from 1:00pm to 2:00pm.
Memorials may be sent to Purple Power Animal Welfare Society (Purple PAWS) P.O. Box 953, Manhattan KS 66505.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.
The Family would like to express their sincere thank you to those that gave Bill such wonderful care. Michael, Molly, Hailey, we are forever grateful for all you did for Bill and our family.
