William J. Sherbert

William J. Sherbert, owner and proprietor of SherBowl Lanes and Willy J's 9^th Lane passed away February 19, 2023. Bill was born on January 25, 1939, in Broughton, Kansas. He was the oldest son of Bert and Opal (Bisnett) Sherbert. Bill spent his youth in Wakefield, KS graduating with the class of 1957 from Wakefield Rural High School.

Early on as a young boy and man, Bill enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was united in marriage to LaDonna Hess on May 31, 1959, in Wakefield and the couple were blessed with two children, Donna and Daniel. The family moved to Marion in 1964 from Council Grove when Bill was working as a dynamite man for Riddle Construction, later Hallet Construction. He and his crew produced the rock for the construction of Council Grove and Marion Reservoir Dams during that time. At the time of his retirement in 1987, Bill was superintendent of five quarries.

He and LaDonna built their home in 1978, where Bill owned and operated a saw-blade sharpening business, B & L Sharpening. Later, he and his business partner Alan Richmond, formed and operated B & A Game Bird Farm. Bill also worked part-time for Marion Manufacturing from 1990 to 2004. Throughout the years Bill also enjoyed gardening, often growing more than the family could handle. In the summer of 2001, Bill became a founding member of the Marion Chapter of Quail Unlimited, which later switched to Quail Forever in 2005. He stayed on the board for many years and helped to organize their events. When the opportunity arose in 2003, Bill and LaDonna purchased Mar-Bowl Lanes and later renamed it SherBowl Lanes. Five years later, Willy J’s 9th Lane Sports Bar was built and Bill enjoyed many evenings meeting people and making new friends. Bill encouraged young bowlers by helping develop youth league and teaching them fundamentals of bowling. 

Bill and LaDonna moved to Homestead Apartments in 2017.  Two and a half years after LaDonna's passing in 2020, Bill moved to Marion Assisted Living, where in dealing with health issues, he passed away peacefully surrounded by family.

His greatest joy was his family which includes his children Donna (Randy) Bryant of Marion, and Daniel Sherbert of Marion; grandchildren Dustin (Summer) Sherbert, Jayden Hallowell, Ryan (Leigh) Funk, Jason (Tiffany) Funk, and Joshua (Dawnell) Funk; and nine great grandchildren.

 Bill is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, LaDonna, granddaughter Lyndsay Rae Sherbert his parents and brothers, Maynard and Jack Sherbert. Friends may pay their respects at Yazel Megli Funeral Home, Marion from 2-7 p.m., family 5-7 on Friday February 24th. Graveside services will be held on Saturday February 25th at 11 a.m. in the Marion Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Bill’s name may be directed to Marion County Quail Forever. Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Bill at www.yazelmeglifh.com..