Bill and Sharyl Bolyard wait for the July 21, 2023, Osage County Fair Parade to begin, when they were honored as Mr. and Mrs. Osage City. Osage City Chamber photo.

The Osage City Chamber of Commerce has announced Bill and Sharyl Bolyard have been selected as Mr. and Mrs. Osage City for 2023, and will be honored as dignitaries in the Osage County Fair Parade Friday evening in downtown Osage City.

Bill is a lifelong resident of Osage City and graduated from Osage City High School in 1968. He went to work for Goodyear Tire & Rubber, in Topeka, after graduation, working 37 years before he retired in 2006.

Bill was drafted in 1969 and served in the US Army during the Vietnam War until he was honorably discharged in 1971, returning to Goodyear until retirement.

Bill had volunteered many hours in the community on the Osage City Tree Board, Veteran’s Memorial Committee, and American Legion Bingo and pancake feeds. He also volunteered at the Topeka VA Hospital nine years, picking up and driving veterans to doctor appointments in Topeka.

Sharyl (Hutchinson) was born at Strawn, Kan., but relocated to the Lebo area in 1961 when John Redmond reservoir was built. She graduated from Lebo High School in 1971. Sharyl has lived in Osage City since 1983.

Sharyl worked at the US Postal Service for more than 30 years, beginning in 1978 and retiring in 2009. She served the communities of Reading, Carbondale, Burlingame and Osage City as postmaster during her career. After her retirement, Sharyl worked part-time until 2014 at Edward Jones, Osage City.

She had volunteered with Girl Scouts, Osage County Help House, Ecumenical Christian Action Team, and Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign in Osage County.

Bill and Sharyl have two children Cory (Tina) Love and Megan (Jeff) Schrumm. They have seven grandchildren.

They have helped with Kiwanis paper pick up, Smoke in the Spring, Meals on Wheels, and at Melvern Lake with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Bill and Sharyl are active in the Presbyterian Church, and with the American Legion and Auxiliary, organizing the Memorial Day Avenue of Flags and veterans’ grave flags at local cemeteries.

Bill and Sharyl enjoy spending time with family, walking, boating and traveling.

The Osage County Fair Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 21, at the west end of Market Street in Osage City. The parade route runs east down Market Street to downtown Osage City. Parade spectators can watch the parade from just about anywhere along the route.

Information thanks to Jeanette Swarts, Osage City Chamber of Commerce director.