03/16/2026
In Loving Memory
Dr. Richard “Willie” Dee Wiltfong
November 6, 1936 – March 11, 2026
Dr. Richard Wiltfong, affectionately known as “Willie” or “Doc” to friends and family, was born on November 6, 1936, to George and Louise (Butler) Wiltfong on their farm near Clayton, Kansas. Willie was the youngest of three brothers, and along with his two older brothers, Phillip and Meredith, he helped his parents raise livestock and farm. Because of his love for animals and enjoyment of the outdoors, Willie, like his two brothers, chose to become a veterinarian. Willie attended school in Norcatur and Norton, Kansas, graduating from Norton Community High School in 1955. He went on to college at Kansas State University, where he met Marcia Petracek, from Jennings, Kansas. Willie and Marcia married on August 7, 1960, and they celebrated their 65th anniversary in August, 2025. After graduating and receiving a D.V.M. degree from Kansas State University Veterinary Medicine School in 1961, Willie served for two years in the U. S. Air Force. Willie and Marcia enjoyed living in Portland, Oregon, where Willie served as the base veterinarian on the International Air Force Base in Portland. While in Portland, their daughter Susan was born. After his discharge, Willie and Marcia returned to Norton where Willie joined the large and small animal veterinary practice of Dr. George Atkinson in 1963, eventually forming their partnership in 1965. Willie and Marcia’s family grew in Norton with the birth of their son, David, and daughter, Julie. Willie practiced veterinary medicine in Norton County for approximately 40 years, making daily calls to livestock farms, caring for pets and farm animals at the Norton clinic, and inspecting and providing veterinary care for livestock on a weekly basis at the Norton sale barn. Because of his long practice as a veterinarian in the Norton area, he came to know and enjoy many friends in the wider Norton community. The Norton veterinary clinic continues to serve the community today.
As a native son of Norton and a long-time resident, Willie cared very much about the Norton community. He was a contributor and leader who always made an effort to know and help others, and to help make Norton a good place to live. He set a good example not only as a veterinarian, but also as a human being. Willie epitomized being the “salt of the Earth” by serving and giving to others over the years:
• Served on the Norton School Board for eight years, helping to find and select a district superintendent and build a new junior and senior high school building.
• He supported the Norton County Fair each summer, judging 4-H livestock, purchasing 4-H animals and a carnival ride that is used in the county fair.
• Willie coached girls’ summer softball teams, was a Boy Scout leader, and helped with Big Brothers.
• He served on the boards for The Bank, Valley Hope, the Norton United Methodist Church, and the local Farmer’s Home Administration.
• Willie was active in Rotary, joining in 1966, serving as local president and in other officer roles. He was recognized with the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award for his contributions to global Rotary service projects.
• He was a member of the American Legion, Eagles Club, and the American and Kansas Veterinary Medical Associations.
• As an antique car collector and lover, Willie founded the Norton Car Club, and he often made his antique cars available to friends and family for parades and community events as well as the annual Sugar Valley antique car rally in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska. Many friends and family members have fond memories of these events, and Willie’s kids and grandkids continue to enjoy “Papa’s” old cars.
• Willie and Marcia, both Kansas State University graduates, are well known for their “Purple Pride” as long-time KSU supporters and fans, and often wearing the royal purple and white colors of KSU. They are life-time members of the KSU Alumni Association, members of the President’s Club and 1963 Circle. They have given many scholarships to KSU students over the years. Importantly, they purchased 50-yard line seats when the KSU football stadium was first built in the 1960s, and they have held those tickets ever since. In more than fifty years they missed only four home games, because of blizzards, and due to this good record, they were honored several years ago at a KSU home football game for being dedicated fans. The extended Wiltfong family has created an endowed scholarship in honor of Willie and his brothers Phillip and Meredith, all three veterinarians, given annually to a KSU veterinary medical student.
After retiring, Willie and Marcia continued to enjoy KSU football games, antique cars, gardening, wintering in Mesa, Arizona, travel around the world, and watching and tending to the purple martins who made homes in Willie’s many purple martin houses each year in their backyard. For the last several years, Willie and Marcia have lived in Lincoln, Nebraska, near their son, David, and his family. In Lincoln, Willie and Marcia have enjoyed living at the Aviva Woodlands Senior Community where they have made and enjoyed many good friends.
Willie is preceded in death by his parents and brothers. He is survived by his wife Marcia, of Lincoln, Nebraska, daughter Susan Cesiel (Greg) of Rochester Hills, Michigan, son David Wiltfong (Cindy) of Lincoln, Nebraska, daughter Julie Bolander (Bobby) of Kingwood, Texas, and six grandchildren including: David Cesiel (Lexi) of Minneapolis, MN, Ryan Cesiel (Ryan) of San Francisco, California, Ellie Wiltfong Olson (Craig) of Omaha, Nebraska, Kathryn Cesiel Gomez (Andrew) of Romeo, Michigan, Anne Wiltfong of Lenexa, Kansas, and Jenna Wiltfong of Kansas City, Kansas.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 20, 1:00 pm, at the First United Methodist Church in Norton, Kansas, followed by a luncheon at 2:00 pm in Fellowship Hall at the church, and inurnment with military honors at the Norton Cemetery at 4:00 pm. Memorial donations may be made to the Norton Community Foundation and sent in care of Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at
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