Torbert, William Elton

William Elton Torbert

Service: Have been held.

William Elton “Bill” Torbert, 71, of Amarillo, died Friday, March 12, 2004, in Topeka, Kan.

He was born on July 23, 1932, in Arkansas City, Kan.

He was raised in Canadian, Texas. He graduated from West Texas State University. He married Beverly Beck on June 30, 1956. They moved to Clovis where he was the owner and general manager of KICA radio station and vice-president and director of KGRT. He was a partner in the advertising agency of Torbert, Torbert and Associates and was co-owner of the Natural Food Center. He was a member of the Committee of Fifty. He moved to Topeka, Kan. in 1981. He moved back to Amarillo in 1986 to work for Berneta Communications. He owned Abbe Monogrammed Mascots T-Shirt Company. After his retirement he worked part-time as a substitute teacher for the Amarillo Independent School System. He was a member of the Polk Street United Methodist Church.

Survivors include a son, Kent Torbert (and wife, Starla); four daughters, Karen Stewart, Stacy Hand (Matt), Amy Cronister (Tim) and Becky DeShano (Bob); 15 grandchildren, Lexi and Jerod Sledge, Abbye and Jacob Torbert, Patricia Parker, Chet and Tommy Stewart, Margie Massengill, Katie and Ryan Hand, Bryce, Nathan and Brodie Cronister and Aubrey and Tyler DeShano; and four great-grandchildren.

James E. Garrett will officiate the services.

Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs and Sons Funeral Directors of Amarillo.