William Eugene “Bill” Coffman

DECEMBER 16, 1943 - JULY 24, 2025

William Eugene “Bill” Coffman, 81 of Milford, Kansas passed away at home July 24, 2025 with his family at his side. He was born at his home in east Topeka, the son of Floyd and Marguerite Harrower Coffman.

He married Betty Prohaska. They were later divorced.

On November 15, 1973 he married his soul mate and best friend, Karen “Sue” Nott Coffman. They celebrated 51 years of marriage.

Survivors include a daughter, Jody Hittle (Kent) Milford, sons Doug Self (Debbie) Maple Hill, Eric (Kristina) Milford, Scott (Sandy) Milford, two sisters Barbara (Dale) Vail and Mary (Tom) Bradshaw both of Topeka. 9 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Sue and his son Shawn Cody; grandson Austin English; parents, Floyd and Marguerite Coffman; sisters Shirley Ann and Edna Wade.

He grew up in east Topeka where he ran around with his cousins. He hunted raccoons with his Dad and Uncles. When they weren’t hunting, you could find them on the creek bank setting trot lines and limb lines as well as fishing with a pole. Many pictures were taken of the hunters/fishermen with long stringers of fish or raccoons hanging on the side of the garage.

Later he spent countless hours teaching his sons the hunting and fishing skills. Many deer mounts hang from the walls in his home as well as antelope, turkey and ducks.

As a young man, he worked for Jack Perine as a welder. He was multi-talented and could do anything. He painted homes with his Dad, drove a semi, drove a cement mixer for Hankamer concrete when Jeffrey Energy Center was being built, and was maintenance director for USD 321. In 1990, he and Sue bought Big K marina at Milford Lake and it became B&K Marina and later was changed to Rush Creek Marina. Many friends were made during the years he owned the marina. After selling the marina, he worked at Milford State Park until he became ill.

Family has always been important to Bill. He was host of many family reunions with his wife including a reunion of the Topeka Decker Oiler baseball team honoring his uncles. He hosted fish fries, went camping on Rock Creek or various lakes around the state. He took his family swimming in Cross Creek or he would hit the ball for a game of 500 in the yard. He loved to bowl with his family and friends.

Celebration of life for Bill and Sue will be held August 24, 2025 at Milford State Park at their Memorial benches near Eagle Ridge campground. A time will be determined and announced later.