James (Jim) Willis Feil, 67, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Friday, March 24, 2023 at his home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Jim was born July 4, 1955, in Stockton, Kansas. He was the son of Willis Leo and Georgia Marie (Mai) Feil. He grew up in Russell and graduated from Russell High School with the Class of ‘73. He attended The University of Kansas for one year before transferring to Fort Hays State University. He continued college there until he made the selfless decision to put his education on hold to provide for his family instead. In 1989, he returned to FHSU and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
When Jim met his soulmate, Jaci Lee Beeman, he fell in love with her instantly. His best friend had never heard him speak in such a way about a girl. Jim knew he would marry Jaci someday. Jaci knew she would marry Jim someday. They are high school sweethearts and were united in marriage on June 7, 1980. This union was blessed with their son, Ryan James and daughter, Lindsay Lee. They made their one and only family home on Ash Street in Russell.
When Jim was younger, he worked for Revell Oil Field Construction as a roustabout and later became a pumper for Fina Oil Company. Jim worked as an insurance agent for United Services Agency of Russell, which was later purchased by Insurance Planning, Inc. of Hays, Kansas. He worked as the office manager and insurance agent for 25 years before retiring in 2019. Jim always had faith and gave grace as he was a christian and a proud member of St. John Lutheran Church. He attended church regularly with his family for many years and felt the urge to stream the service online the Sunday before he passed.
Jim was a kind and gentle man who always put others before himself. If something needed to be fixed or built, he found a way to do it. He was involved with coaching both his children in recreational sports which, in turn, inspired their desire to coach as well. Watching his grandsons compete in a variety of sports brought him such joy. He absolutely adored his granddaughter and loved spending time with her. He enjoyed watching KU Basketball and hanging out with family and friends at the lake. If he wasn’t at the lake, you could find him at their pool. He was a wonderful host and made everyone feel welcome because he wanted to share his little slice of paradise with everyone he loved.
Jim’s surviving family include his wife of 42 years, Jaci of the home; daughter, Lindsay Homeier (Bobby) of Great Bend, Kansas; son, Ryan Feil (Erica) of Russell, Kansas; brothers, Bob Feil (Tracy) of Marshalltown, Iowa and Alan Feil of Salina, Kansas; three grandchildren, Bryson Feil, Lawson Feil and Jayde Feil all of Russell; niece, Jessica Dumler of Topeka, Kansas and nephews, Chris Feil of Salina, Kansas and Kellin Feil of Newton, Iowa; and many friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Brenda Kay.
Celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, March 30, 2023 at St. John Lutheran Church. A private burial of ashes will follow at a later date. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Memorial has been established as the Feil Grandchildren Education Fund. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.