William S. (Bill) Slane was born August 31, 1916 in Chanute, Kansas. He attended Chanute schools, graduated as a member of the National Honor Society, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and after returning to Chanute carried mail for the U.S. Postal Service until his retirement in 1971. Later in life, he attended NCCC and at age 73 graduated with an Associates Degree in Applied Science, receiving his diploma from U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, attained the rank of Eagle Scout, served from troop leader to district advisor, attended many scouting events including Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, and in 1937 attended the first National Boy Scout Jamboree in Washington, D.C. He received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor for a volunteer adult leader, and his service to many Chanute organizations also brought recognition from the American Red Cross with the Clara Barton Volunteer Leadership Award and from Rotary International Foundation as a Paul Harris Fellow. He assisted Meals on Wheels, Operation Soupline, Safari Museum, and Chanute Community Theater, sang in Saint Cecelia Choir and with the Southeast Shavers Barbershop Chorus for many years, and supported local history as a member of the Chanute Historical Society. He was the primary researcher behind the Vegetarian Colony north of Chanute and Osage City at the Austin Bridge in Santa Fe Park in south Chanute. His legacy was a lifetime of giving his time and talents to his hometown of Chanute, Kansas.