William Arthur Kellstrom

William Arthur (Bill) Kellstrom, of Manhattan, KS, died on the evening of Friday, September 15, 2017. William Arthur Kellstrom was born in Detroit, Michigan, on May 23, 1930, to Arthur and Maude (Wherry) Kellstrom. He attended schools in Detroit and graduated from Edwin Denby High School. Bill then attended Wayne University in Detroit and also worked at the Chrysler Corporation and Bower Roller Bearing Co. He was drafted into the US Army and completed Officers Candidate School at Ft. Benning, where he attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. While stationed at Ft. Riley, he was appointed to the Regimental Courts as an Officer of the Boards. He was then deployed to Korea and assigned as a platoon leader to the 3rd Infantry Division, 7th Infantry Regiment, and was the recipient of the Combat Infantryman's Badge. Upon returning to the U.S., Bill was married to Martha Ruth Copening of Iola, Kansas. He graduated from the University of Kansas City School of Pharmacy in 1957. He and Martha moved to Salina, Kansas, where he was employed by the B&K Prescription Shop. Bill and his family moved to Manhattan, Kansas, in 1962 purchasing the Palace Drug Store in Aggieville. In 1975, Bill moved the pharmaceuticals out of the Palace location to the corner of Sunset and Claflin and opened as Kellstrom Pharmacy. Bill was a cornetist and a charter member of the Palace Drug Dixieland Band, and later, the Palace Jazz Band, which entertained many in Manhattan and throughout the Midwest. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason at the Lafayette Lodge #16, Salina Isis Shrine, Scottish Rite Valley of Salina and ROJ Court #94. After retirement, Bill and Martha purchased a cabin in Estes Park, Colorado, and spent 20 years enjoying friends, golfing, hiking, and the great outdoors. They returned to Manhattan for the remainder of their retirement years. Bill is survived by his wife, Martha Kellstrom, his sons John and Jim, daughters-in-law Beth and Jane, respectively; three grandchildren: Olivia and Will of Hot Springs, Arkansas and Margaret of Manhattan, Kansas. Bill is preceded in death by his brother Robert (Bob) Kellstrom of Palm Harbor, Florida, 1997. The family will receive on Wednesday, September 20, from 6-8 PM, at Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home, 1317 Poyntz in Manhattan. Inurnment services will be held at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery on Thursday, September 21, 2017, at 10:00 am with Masonic and Ft. Riley Military Honors being provided. In lieu of flowers, Bill requested that contributions be made to the Manhattan Shrine Club Children's Fund, the Good Shepherd Hospice House, the Russel Reitz Animal Shelter, or the Manhattan Municipal Band and may be sent in care of funeral home. Following the service, the family will receive friends at the clubhouse at Colbert Hills Golf Course, all are invited. Visit irvinparkview.com to leave an online condolence, for more information or to send a gift. Arrangements by Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home & Cremation.