LeRoy William Betts, 79, of Russell and formerly of Dorrance, died Thursday evening, February 4, 2010, at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

LeRoy was born March 25, 1930, in Dorrance, Kansas, the son of Martin L. and Elsie M. (Miller) Betts. He grew up in Dorrance and graduated from Dorrance High School in 1948.

LeRoy joined the U.S. Navy right after high school. He served 20 years spanning the time of the Korea and Vietnam wars. He served on the USS Kearsarge Aircraft Carrier before retiring in 1968 as a chief petty officer.

LeRoy was united in marriage to Vivian R. Garrett on April 10, 1951, in Dorrance. This union was blessed with three sons; Alan, Roger and Brian.

LeRoy and his family lived in San Diego, Calif., when he retired from the military. They moved to Salina where he worked at Beech Aircraft as a final check on avionics. In 1971, they moved back to Dorrance and he was the owner and operator of the Montgomery Ward store in Russell. In 1977, they moved to Russell, where he worked for Buck Eye Supply for 17 years in sales. He retired in 1995.

LeRoy was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Dorrance. He also was a life member of the Russell VFW Post 6240 and the Dorrance American Legion. He enjoyed watching college basketball and football and reading a good book.

Surviving family include his wife of 58 years, Vivian of the home; two sons, Alan Betts and wife Rikki of Hays, Kansas and Roger Betts and wife Sheila of Shattcuck, Oklahoma; two brothers, Edward Betts of Gillette, Wyoming and Lester Betts of Dorrance, Kansas; six grandchildren, Shawn, Amber, Joshua, Sarah, Ashlee and Jodi; and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Brian Betts; brothers, Marvin Betts and Athol Betts; and two sisters, Imogene Galliart and Verba Gilmore.

Celebration of LeRoy's Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at the First Lutheran Church of Dorrance with Sister Diane Wagner officiating. Interment will follow at the Dorrance City Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by the Russell VFW Post 6240. Visitation will be from Noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with a Prayer Service being held at 2 p.m. A memorial has been established with the First Lutheran Church of Dorrance. Contributions and condolences may be sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, who is in charge of these arrangements. Condolences may also be sent via e-mail at www.pvpmortuary.com.