My dad, Bill Price, volunteered with Onaga USD #322 from 2005 to 2019. He died in August 2024, and our family is raising funds to establish Mr. Bill's Book Barn, a permanent lending library in Rosenfield Park in Onaga, KS, to house free books for people of all ages.

The building will be approximately 10’x12’ and will be accessible every day, day or night. It will be a community library where people can give or take books as their heart desires. We also envision it having puzzles and games.

My dad's book collection exploded when he retired from the State of Kansas and moved to Onaga in 2004. He split his time between volunteering at the school and enjoying newfound time to read. At the time of his death, he had amassed nearly 500 books and had read all but a handful. A hefty portion of those books will become the first to fill the shelves of Mr. Bill's Book Barn. My mom, Linda Price, will continue to add books from his collection as space in the book barn allows.

The Price family--wife Linda, son Shawn and daughter Cindy--has committed to paying the first $1,500 of this project.

My dad started volunteering at the school by helping with the computers--a role that became increasingly important over 15 years. As the years progressed, so did the technology, and even when there was a full-time technology coordinator, Bill kept busy updating and troubleshooting computers--even in the summer. He also helped in the library, doing everything from checking out books and helping students to cutting out lamination for the teachers. He liked staying busy, so when he was waiting on something, he'd magically produce a book and start reading.

His love of reading was a wonderful role model to the students. He was as loyal and dedicated to the school as the rest of the staff. He cared about the kids, and became a listening ear to many.

My dad was a regular at Onaga's sporting events. He loved baseball in particular and spent many summer evenings at games, happily enjoying a great burger, too.

He also loved to play guitar and sing. He taught a handful of students to play, and he and other staff members would occasionally have a jam session in the library after school. He sang at some school events and made regular trips to sing at area care homes and assisted living facilities.

Bill Price gave to his community, and we would like to honor him with Mr. Bill’s Book Barn. Please help us make this a reality for our community.

Money raised will cover the cost of the structure, installation and shelving. A March 2025 estimate from Axtell Lumber estimates the cost at $4,630, not including shelving ($610) or gravel (est. $500). The barn will:

If you are not comfortable donating by credit card, you can write a check payable to Linda Price. Please include "Mr. Bill's Book Barn" in the memo line.

~ Cindy