Remembering Bill Docking

Union State Bank Staff Mourn Passing of Bill Docking

William (Bill) R. Docking passed away on March 13, 2025, as a result of ongoing health issues. Bill held the position of Chief Executive Officer of Union State Bank (USB) from 1983 until 2014. He remained active with the bank operations, serving as Chairman Emeritus to Union State Bank’s Board of Directors until his retirement last month. Bill was also Chairman, President and CEO of Docking Bancshares, Inc., Union State Bank’s holding company. 

“Bill struggled courageously with his health for nearly two decades and fought those ailments valiantly so he could continue serving with honor the constituents of Union State Bank and the communities which we serve,” shared Eric Kurtz, Union State Bank President and CEO. “On behalf of Union State Bank, we express our deepest sympathies to the Docking Family as they mourn Bill’s passing.  He will be missed.”

Bill grew up in Arkansas City, Kansas having moved there when his father, and future Kansas Governor, Robert Docking was named CEO of Union State Bank in 1957. He later moved to Topeka when Robert was elected Governor in 1967. Bill attended the University of Kansas, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1973 as well as a Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctorate in 1977.

As a lifelong supporter of KU, Bill contributed to the University in meaningful ways. He was a trustee of the Kansas University Endowment Association, serving as a member of the executive committee from 2000-2019. Bill received the Fred Ellsworth Medallion for unique and significant service to KU in 2005 and the Distinguished Alumni Award from KU’s School of Business in 2007. In 2022, Bill and his wife Judy created the “Bill and Judy Docking Faculty Development Fund” to support development opportunities for faculty at KU School of Medicine-Wichita.

“An excellent faculty is essential to providing the highest quality educational experience,” Bill Docking said in an interview for KU Medical Center in 2022.

Upon graduation from KU, Bill practiced as an attorney and certified public accountant in Kansas City, Missouri, distinguishing himself as a businessman and community leader. He had been a member of the Kansas and American Bar Association since 1977 and the Kansas Society and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1979. In 1983 he moved back to Arkansas City to take over as Chief Executive Officer of Union State Bank, where Bill continued the legacy of Docking leadership while positioning the bank for future success.

“Bill Docking dedicated his life to this bank, and he drew great comfort knowing that Management and our Board are as strong as it’s ever been. There is no better legacy my uncle would have wanted than to have us carry on what he spent his life building,” expressed Brian Docking, Chairman of the Union State Bank Board of Directors.

Through Bill’s leadership the bank was able to expand through organic growth and mergers with The State Bank of Winfield, Relianz Bank (Wichita, KS) and Midland National Bank (Newton, KS), bringing the organization to twelve locations throughout Kansas and Oklahoma with total assets of nearly $700 million.

“We’ve come a long way," said Bill Docking in a recent interview. The bank had a single location in Arkansas City and $28.3 million in total assets when he became CEO in 1983, he said.

Bill continued as Union State Bank’s Chief Executive Officer for over thirty years, stepping down in February of 2014. At the time of the transition, Docking was quoted saying, “The time has come for me to devote more time to holding company responsibilities. Moving forward, Eric (Kurtz) is someone I trust will do an excellent job serving the customers and will represent the bank well as our new CEO.”

Bill continued to serve as Chairman of USB’s Board of Directors until his decision to move to Chairman Emeritus in 2022. Brian Docking, senior vice president and certified financial planner at Baird's The Docking Group and Union State Bank Board of Directors member since 2007, was elected to fill the position. Brian Docking, who is Bill’s nephew, represents the fourth generation of the Docking family to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Union State Bank.

“I consider one of my greatest responsibilities to be preserving the culture while building upon the incredible growth and success we have experienced under Bill Docking,” said Brian Docking.

While the Docking name will forever be tied to Union State Bank, the family’s legacy will be the lasting impact made through community service. Bill and Judy Docking’s support through their time and donations are well known throughout the State. Bill was a member of the Cowley College Foundation’s Board of Directors. He served 10 years as a member of the Kansas Board of Regents, the governing board of Kansas’ six state universities. Bill was also a former director of the Kansas Health Foundation and former president of the Kansas Bankers Association.

In 2007, Bill, his brother Tom and Union State Bank established the Docking Lecture Series on Leadership and Public Service at Southwestern College in Winfield, KS.  Speakers have included US Senator Pat Roberts, Chuck Todd of NBC News, University of Virginia Professor Larry Sabato, American Enterprise Institute resident scholar Norman Ornstein, journalist, author and filmmaker Sebastian Junger, CNN analyst and author Jeffrey Toobin, and Presidential Medal of Freedom award winner General Wesley Clark.  Most recently Bill and Judy assisted Cowley College in the realization of the Tyler Technical Education Center.

Bill’s legacy will live on through the family, friends and community that he dedicated so much of his life to. In honor of Bill’s accomplishments, last month the USB Board of Directors presented him with a formal proclamation establishing March 23^rd as William R. (Bill) Docking Day. Most recently, The City Commission of Arkansas City followed suit by proclaiming the same day, which would have been Bill’s 74^th birthday, as Bill Docking Day officially within the city.

“On this day we will recognize the diligence and dedication Bill led with as well as he and Judy’s ongoing generosity to our community,” said Eric Kurtz.

Details for a celebration of life service can be found through Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home. The family has requested, in lieu of flowers, to please make memorial contributions to the KU Endowment Association or Cowley College Foundation. Contributions may be sent to Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home, 100 E. Kansas Avenue, Arkansas City, KS 67005.