Billy J. Graham

Billy J. Graham

Billy J. Graham, age 92, a lifelong resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, at the Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, Kan. He was born Nov. 8, 1931, in Fort Scott, the son of Louis Graham and Helen Briggs Graham. Billy graduated from the Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1950. He married Shirley Nutter on July 3, 1954. The couple honeymooned in Chicago and since Billy was an avid baseball fan, part of their trip was spent at a ball game. Throughout his life Billy was well known in his community. He worked at Master Printers, Mid-America Business Forms and Mayco Ace Hardware. He also managed the Fox Theater and the Mo-Kan Drive-In. Billy enjoyed baseball, basketball, and football. He faithfully supported the St. Louis Cardinals, KU Jayhawks and the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs. Billy will also be remembered for his bowling skills where he rolled several perfect games. During the 1960s and 70s he worked as a scout for the Fort Scott Community College Greyhound Basketball Team. Later in life, he enjoyed eating ice cream, listening to baseball on the radio and working puzzles on his computer. He was also frequently seen, on his scooter, “walking” his dog Suzie.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley, a son John Graham (Carol) of Parker, Colo., and a daughter, Grace Sweat (Bill) of Fort Scott; four grandchildren, Robert Nolan (Alisa), Kim Nolan, Christopher Graham (Heather) and Timothy Graham (Ruth) and two great-granddaughters, Ashton and Adelynn Nolan as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Billy was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Kenneth, Robert and Harold Graham and a son, David Graham.

There was cremation. A celebration of Billy’s life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Carriage House, 301 S. Main St., Fort Scott, Kan. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.