William Elwood Oakes

William Elwood Oakes Obituary

On September 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 March 26, 1934, to Elwood (William) Oakes and Rose (Wolverton) Oakes, he was an only child. Bill graduated from Wichita North HS and went onto Wichita State University and earned his degree in Business Administration. 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 B52 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 Banker’s 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 past times.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Jacqueline Claire Oakes, parents, Elwood and Rose Oakes. He will be forever lovingly remembered by his family, children son, Brad (Tracy) Oakes, Independence, Kansas, daughter, Lesley (Marty) Fiser, Mahaska, Ks. Grandchildren: Tyson (Shannon) Oakes, Independence, Kansas, Kyndon (Jenny) Oakes, Spring Hill, Tennessee, Nate (Alisa) Fiser, Shawnee, Kansas, Jessica (Derrick) Melton, Belleville, Kansas, and Ryan (Abbi) Fiser, Narka, Kansas. 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. 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 over 70 years, a feat that very few of us can put on our life’s resume.

The Family will receive guests during visitation on Sunday, September 6, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The Family will have a private burial on Monday, September 7, 2026.

Donations suggested to First Presbyterian Church of Independence https://fpc-indy-ks.org/ or Animals with Our Love AWOL https://www.independenceks.gov/474/Animals-With-Our-Love-AWOL-Humane-Societ

To leave a special message for the family please visit www.webbrodrickchapel.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory.