Staff Honor Docking Legacy Through Community Service
First Published March 2026
Union State Bank (USB) employees participated in a variety of community service efforts honoring former bank CEO and Board Chair, the late Bill Docking.
Docking held the position of Chief Executive Officer for over thirty years, from 1983 until 2014. And served on the bank’s Board of Directors until his retirement in 2025. Upon his retirement, the USB Board of Directors presented Bill with a formal proclamation establishing March 23rd as William R. (Bill) Docking Day.
In honor of Docking’s legacy of community service, bank staff celebrated Bill Docking Day by volunteering their time to projects across USB’s markets.
In Newton, Kansas, staff served at “The Table,” a free community dinner provided through the So Shine Foundation.
“It is important for USB to give back to the community. We as a bank depend on our communities to survive as a business,” explained Bryan White, USB’s Market president for Newton. “I believe that Bill would be pleased with our selection to donate our time to The Table.”
Within Wichita, a dozen employees volunteered their time preparing after school meal kits through the Kansas Food Bank.
“It’s very important to support programs like the Kansas Food Bank because so many people rely on these kinds of programs to help them through trying times,” said project lead and Branch Coordinator Lindsay Chavez. “Even the smallest efforts can make a huge difference to someone in need.”
In Cowley County, staff turned their attention to outdoor improvement projects. Teams from both Arkansas City and Winfield provided manpower to park clean up projects within their communities.
“We live, work, and play in our communities and giving back is part of being an active member of the community. It allows us to do things as a team outside of work,” said Julie Von Bon, USB’s Market Coordinator for Winfield and Udall.
A team of eleven painted the pavilion of Island Park within Winfield. In Ark City, staff prepared the Docking Memorial Garden at Wilson Park for Spring. The garden includes a monument to Bill’s father, former Kansas Governor Robert Docking and includes “The Meredith Rose” which was planted by the City of Arkansas City in honor of Bill’s mother and her legacy of volunteerism.
“I think Bill would be very proud of Union State Bank’s community service initiatives,” Von Bon added. “They continue his legacy and reinforce the bank’s long-standing tradition of giving back.”