A lifelong Iola-area leader, William “Bill” Leslie Mentzer, 95, died Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Allen County Regional Hospital in Iola, the Iola Register reported. Born Oct. 1, 1930, in Neosho Falls, Kansas, he graduated from Iola High School in 1948 and later married Marjorie Hiser in Iola in 1951.
Mentzer’s service connected his agriculture roots to community impact. A Korean War veteran who served from 1951 to 1953, he also held leadership roles including work with the Chanute Production Credit Board, the Kansas Farm Bureau Board, and 20 years as a 4-H leader, along with serving as a Kansas State Extension Advisor. His banking career included vice president and agriculture representative work at Allen County State Bank in Iola, presidency of Piqua State Bank, and vice president at Humboldt National Bank, and he later served as tour director for Community National Bank’s Ramblers bus tours.
Beyond work, he volunteered on humanitarian missions with VASA/ACDI in the Philippines and Poland, served as a houseparent at Youthville in Newton, and supported church and local volunteer efforts. Visitation is Thursday, July 23, 6 to 8 p.m., at The Venue at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service in Iola, followed by a funeral service Friday, July 24 at First Christian Church in Iola and interment at Highland Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to Iola First Christian Church or the Iola Food Pantry.