William A. Wiener

William A. Wiener (Bill), 85, of Parsons, passed away peacefully on the evening of Monday, August 2, 2021, at his home with family by his side.

He was born on July 17, 1936, to Emanuel and Betty (Lewis) Wiener in Pittsburg, Pensylvania and spent his early days as a young boy in Trenton, New Jersey. During those years, Bill was an avid collector and builder of HO Gauge Train systems and would spend hours creating intricate thoroughfares and detailed miniature cities — with particular attention to how the mechanicals came together. This hobby spurred his eventual passion for engineering and his life-long desire to, as Robert Frost wrote (and Bill often quoted) “…unite my avocation with my vocation.”

Bill graduated from Trenton High School in 1954 and went on to earn a  Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was a proud member of the Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity at Lehigh and served as Captain of the Lehigh Cheerleading Squad. Bill also participated in the ROTC program during his four years as an undergraduate and became a Second Lieutenant upon his graduation in 1958. Fueled by the military ideals of discipline, service and commitment, Bill enlisted in the Army and served at Fort Lewis in Washington State for two years. During this time, he was promoted to First Lieutenant and lead his Ordinance Platoon on a tour in Alaska. His time in the Military was among some of his fondest memories as a young man and he often spoke of those early days with humor and pride.

In 1962, upon completing his service in the Army, Bill began his career in New York City, working as a Mechanical Engineer in the Burner Industry. He met and married his wife, Louisa in 1964, and they began their family in 1965 with the birth of their son, Gregory. A move to Lawrence Township, then Trenton, New Jersey, would bring them closer to Bill’s parents, Manny and Betty, and complete their growing family with two more children, daughters, Laura and Kimberly. But Bill’s success as an Engineer and Salesman in the combustion industry brought many new opportunities his way, and soon, he was receiving offers to be in positions of leadership. In 1972, Bill and Louisa moved their young family to Parsons, Kansas where Bill would manage a small burner manufacturing company, Power Flame, Incorporated.

Under Bill’s management, the company expanded and flourished into an industry leader, and in 1979, the couple purchased Power Flame from its’ New York based owners. Power Flame would eventually become the first company in the United States to release an environmentally friendly, Low NOx Burner that would lead the market for nearly four decades. Bill and Louisa also became well known in the burner/boiler industry for their many contributions, including hosting a highly anticipated, industry-wide networking event at the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) show each year. In 2015, Bill was recognized by the American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA) with a Lifetime Achievement Award; a well-deserved recognition for a man who dedicated his life to the industry he loved. In March of 2018, at the age of 82, Bill officially retired from that industry.

Bill will be remembered by those who knew him for his infectious laugh, genuine kindness and undying loyalty to friends, family and business associates. Bill was a generous man, with both his time and his contributions, and he believed strongly in giving back to the community that he loved – a community that gave so much to him. He was extraordinarily proud of his children and grandchildren, and he cherished the life he built with his wife of 57 years, Louisa.

Survivors include his wife, Louisa, his son, Gregory Wiener and his wife, Zuzi, of Lincolnshire, Illinois (David Wiener) (Lucy Wiener) and two daughters, Laura Harlan and her husband, Eric, of Baltimore, Maryland (Hannah Harlan) (Alex Harlan) and Kimberly Schink and her husband, John, of Naperville, Illinois (Sam Schink) (Ben Schink) (Max Schink). His brother, Jerome Wiener of Chicago, Illinois and his nephew, Jacob Wiener of Chicago, Illinois and his extended family, through marriage, of the Netherlands.

There will be a private family graveside service. However, it will be live-streamed through the Forbes-Hoffman Facebook page for those who wish to view Bill being placed safely at rest.  A celebration to honor the life and memory of Bill Wiener will be announced at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to Labette Health. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS  67357.      Please reserve floral gifts until the eventual Celebration of Life Service.

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