[CPEO-MEF] Bill Sheldon

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Bill Sheldon stood up against the Oz company, like David against
Goliath, and he won, only to succumb to a more fearsome adversary,
cancer. I had the pleasure of visiting him in Kansas and working with
him for the past few years. He will be missed.

Lenny







WILLIAM GEORGE "BILL" SHELDON

William George "Bill" Sheldon, 60, of Gardner, KS, passed peacefully
away  February 11, 2002, at the Shawnee Mission Medical Center after a
long  battle with cancer. Funeral services are 11 a.m. Friday, February
15, 2002,  at Leawood United Methodist Church. Friends may call 9-11
a.m. Friday at  the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the
Central Plains  Horticulture and Forestries Foundation for the Kansas
State Research Test  Gardens in Olathe, or the Leukemia and Lymphoma
Society. Mr. Sheldon was  born May 18, 1941, in Chicago, IL, to George
Andrew Sheldon and Aureola  Stevens Sheldon. He had lived in the Kansas
City area for the last 15  years. Bill was a Journalist, working as a
reporter, Editor, and owner of  several Newspapers and later as a
freelance writer and author. He was a  past member of the Plymouth
Congregational Church in Wichita, KS, and a  member of Delta Tau Delta
Fraternity and its Alumni Assoc. at the  University of Kansas. Bill was
an avid Bicyclist and a member of the K.C.  Bike Club, Johnson County
Bike Club, and the Oz Bike Club of Wichita. Bill  was a Route Leader for
Bike Across Kansas. He enjoyed Gardening and was a  Johnson County
Extension Master Gardener as well as serving as a Board  member of the
Greater Kansas City Garden Center, and a Board Member of the  Overland
Park Arboretum. Bill was the founder, Instigator and Commissioner  of
the S.F.N.C.A.A.T. In 1998, Bill was instrumental in the creation of 
TOTO Inc., a grassroots citizens' action group organized to fight
against  the proposed OZ project for the old Sunflower Army Ammunition
Plant. He  worked tirelessly for TOTO, serving as president of that
group until his  death. Bill acted as its spokesman, organizer,
motivator and central  leader. Under his leadership, the Oz project was
finally defeated and Bill  fortunately lived long enough to enjoy this
victory. His concern for the  community led him to involvement in the
formulation of long-term plans for  the old Sunflower plant, which he
promoted at the time of his death. He was  involved in other community
concerns, including the Sunflower Neighbors  Group's quarry fight, the
Johnson County nursing home's fight to remain  open, and a variety of
rural roads and rural comprehensive plan issues. His  commitment to
community sparked his interest in local politics and led him  to
consider running for office, and giving him a renewed zest for life. His
 leadership, energy and enthusiasm in the face of serious illness were
and  are an inspiration to all who knew and worked with him. Survivors
include  Wife, Judge Janette Sheldon, of the home; Sons and
Daughters-In-Law, Stuart  H. and Karen Sheldon, Atlanta, GA, and Steven
G. and Lesley Sheldon, Kansas  City, KS; Stepdaughter, Ann M. Howard,
Lawrence, KS; Brother and Wife,  James A. and Janice Sheldon, Westwood
Hills, KS; Sister and Husband,  Jeannine S. and George Kallal, Wheaton,
IL; Grandchildren, Will, Jack,  Drew, Gordon, and Sydney. (Arrangements:
Maple Hill Funeral Home)

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascitystar/news/obituaries/2659225.htm#56

-- 


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 222B View St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
lsiegel@cpeo.org
http://www.cpeo.org