life. Then came the first great-grandchild; Martie and Diane welcomed Hogan Samuel Forrest to their family in January 2025. Martie loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and delighted in spending time with them. Martie was passionate about farming and cattle. Even after experiencing enough southwest Kansas weather to know better, he remained optimistic about next year’s crop. As much as Martie liked farming and cattle, he loved people more. He would often reminisce about all the different business owners and consultants who grew alongside his and Gary’s farm. Martie leaves behind land he cared for, organizations he helped strengthen, friendships measured in decades and generations of a family who will continue telling his stories. For someone who spent a lifetime planting things and watching them grow, perhaps the best measure of his life is what grew around him: a family, a farm, friendships, a community and generations who will carry his stories forward. That’s a pretty good crop. WILLIAM ELWOOD OAKES On Sept. 3, 2026, William Elwood Oakes, 92, of Independence, passed peacefully with all of his family surrounding him. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. Bill was born in Wichita on March 26, 1934, to Elwood (William) Oakes and Rose (Wolverton) Oakes. He was an only child. Bill graduated from Wichita North High School, went on to Wichita State University and earned his degree in business administration. In his senior year of high school, a pretty gal caught his eye, Jacqueline Claire LaPorte. They dated for five years before getting married on April 8, 1955, after which Bill entered the Air Force. He was a Bombardier and Navigator on the B-52 Bomber. He was in the military for four years before returning home to Wichita. In 1957, Bill and Jacque purchased the bank in Yates Center. He was active in the community, serving on Rotary, Lions and many other local clubs. He served on the Home Savings Bank board for over 30 years, along with many committees with the Kansas Bankers Association. In 1984, he purchased the First National Bank (now FirstOak Bank) in Independence and Elk City, Kansas, and later was involved in adding the Pueblo and Fredonia banks into the fold. He served on the bank board for close to 40 years as Chairman of the Board. Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman. Many vacations always included hunting and fishing. When Bill was younger, his parents bought a farm in Fall River, Kansas, where his father, Elwood, grew up. They spent many weekends and summers just getting away from the city life. After moving to Yates Center, he bought a couple of farms so he could continue to enjoy his favorite pastimes. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Jacqueline Claire Oakes and his parents, Elwood and Rose Oakes. He will be forever lovingly remembered by his family: his son, Brad (Tracy) Oakes; daughter, Lesley (Marty) Fiser; grandchildren: Tyson (Shannon) Oakes, Kyndon (Jenny) Oakes, Nate (Alisa) Fiser, Jessica (Derrick) Melton, and Ryan (Abbi) Fiser; great-grandchildren: Brynlon Oakes, Kannon Oakes, Stetson Oakes, Bryson Frazier, Kate Fiser, Wesley Fiser, Kendall Melton, Colbie Melton, Macklin Fiser, Wynn Fiser, Faye Fiser, and Wesley Nguyen-Oakes; and great-great grandchildren: Ryder Frazier and Aubrey Frazier. He will be missed by a plethora of family and friends. Jacque and Bill were blessed with many achievements, but their greatest achievement was to have been married for over 70 years, a feat that very few of us can put on our life’s resume. 16
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