William (Bill) Lynn Wilson, 87, of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2024 in the home where he had lived for forty-eight years.
Bill was born on October 15, 1936, to Walter Lloyd and Viola Pearl Wilson. He completed his early education in Colby, Kansas, and graduated from Colby Community High School in 1954. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Kansas in 1958. Bill furthered his education by obtaining a Master’s degree in Music Education from Kansas University and an additional Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Fort Hays State College. In 1980, he received a Doctorate degree in Education from the University of Kansas.
Bill had a deep love for young people and was passionate about shaping the lives of future generations through education. He began his career in western Kansas, where he taught instrumental and vocal music. After teaching in WaKeeney, Scott City, and Dodge City, he served as the Director of Bands at Russell High School for five years. After that, he set aside his trombone—joking that it had developed gangrene!—and transitioned into a role as a counselor in the Russell Unified School District. In 1976, his family moved to Lawrence, where he joined Lawrence Public Schools as the Director of Secondary Education and Personnel. Bill led the school district’s personnel operations for nearly 20 years, retiring in 1996 as the Director of Human Resources.
Family was everything to Bill. His steadfast, loving relationship with his wife, Linda, provided the solid foundation on which he built his family. As a father, he was dedicated to providing the best opportunities for his children and creating a home filled with encouragement, positivity, and love. After retiring, Bill focused on spending as much time with his family as possible. Family gatherings with Bill were filled with laughter, good food, good stories and games of cards (Hearts was always on high rotation). His growing family came to include kids, grandkids, and—to his great delight!— a great-grandson born in December 2023. Of course, Bill’s family extended past his immediate family to include his many life-long friends and the countless students with whom he kept in close contact through the years.
Bill was a life member of the KU Alumni Association and an avid KU basketball fan; in fact, much of his wardrobe consisted of crimson and blue. Bill had many hobbies and interests. He loved making trips to his lake house in the Ozarks (which he affectionately referred to as Camelot) and spent many hours fishing for crappie on his dock with his family. Bill had a special touch for making flower arrangements and wreaths that adorn the houses of all his kids and grandkids, and his Christmas wrapping and bows were a local legend. He loved listening to music, uncovering his family’s genealogy records, and compiling books of his favorite quotes.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-six years, Linda; his brother, Larry and wife Norma; his children, Tad and wife Linda, Tammy and husband Todd, Tatum and husband Daniel; his grandchildren, Elizabeth and husband Steven, Danielle and husband Nick, Grant and wife Gina, Cheyenne, Riley, Cameron, and Mason; and his great-grandson, Stellan.
Funeral services are at 1:30 PM on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Bill will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the KU Department of Education, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
Mr. Wilson as I liked to call him was always so kind and had that never fail “biggest smile”. He was a gentleman. Always kind. He was a fisherman’s fisherman. He and Miss Linda are our lake neighbors. He will be greatly missed. Rest in peace dear friend.
My teacher, my friend, and mentor I would have never made it as a band Director without his love that he gave me of music. And I continue it with my students as best. I can, Linda and Bill help me through that time when my parents had the car accident on a Band trip! They took me in their home and made me feel welcome. I will miss you my dear friend.
My sympathy to Bill’s family on your loss. I appreciated Bill’s many years of service to the Lawrence school district. He was an upbeat, cheerful person and always looked for the positive. He served the district and those of who served on the School Board well and it was a pleasure to know him.
Mr . Wilson and Linda you are 1 in a million couple. Two of the BEST people I have ever had the privilege to know! Bill was a very special man. I don’t any words that could express how wonderful he was! I know that he loved family and was very encouraging on any crisis, feat, life situations etc. This world was such a beautiful place with him! I love and will miss him dearly! He was my MR . WILSON!
How I loved this man…..as a teacher and a friend. Bless his sweet family. I will cherish my memories..
What a remarkable man! So much to celebrate about a life well lived. Such a beautiful tribute. Sending love and prayers to you and your entire family, Tammy. We love you.
I was shocked and saddened to see Tammyʻs post on Instagram that Bill has passed! I had sent him an email message on August 4th, a week before his passing, but hadnʻt heard back.
Bill was a valued friend and colleague throughout the years following my first meeting him in the Lawrence Public Schools. I valued his wisdom and kind spirit very much. I cannot imagine a world without Bill dispensing his special kind of love to all those around him.
My heart goes out to Linda, Tad, Tammy, Tatum and all of their loved ones. I wish I could be there with all of you this Saturday (August 17th).
Rest in aloha, dear friend!
Julian K. Ako
Bill and Linda were our neighbors and became family to us. We love them both so much and are so sad about Bill’s passing. He and Linda were so kind, and giving and we could see that in their kids and grandkids too. We are all better for knowing them and will miss Bill more than we can say.
Bill Wilson was one of the reasons I became a band director. What an inspiration he was to many Russell band members.
In case Bill’s email has been disabled where I sent the certificate, just letting you know 50 trees will be planted in his memory.
What a loss of a wonderful teacher, boss and long time friend. Still remember his blue eyes with his baby blue sport jacket. He will be greatly missed.
Bill was a favorite among all of us cousins in the big Wilson clan. I loved our chats about March Madness, ancestry, our family and the Bible, always ending with his sign off of “Love you!” We will all miss this very special man with his loving and positive nature.
Tad and Wilson Family,
Deepest sympathy for the loss of Bill. Mr. Wilson as we called him, band director so many of us loved at RHS. So many wonderful memories he helped shape.
We are so sorry for the loss of Bill. He leaves an amazing legacy with his family. We know that Tad will deeply miss his fishing buddy and friend!
Bill was a very close family friend and he meant the world to me and my late Mother, Ann. I loved Bill and the Wilson’s have always been like a second family. I will miss Bill and all of the wonderful times that we shared over the years. My thoughts and prayers are with Linda, Tad, Tammy, Tatum, Riley, Cameron, Mason, Danielle, Cheyenne, Grant, Elizabeth and the entire family.
With Heartfelt Sympathy and Love,
Tammy, so sorry for the loss of your Dad. Prayers for you and all the family
Bill is one of the reasons that I live in Lawrence. My dad was a librarian at RMS in Russell when Bill lived there and Linda was mt kindergarten teacher. In 1983, Bill let my dad know that there was a librarians position at West Junior High and we moved.
I still remember that he and Linda both attended the funerals of my mom and dad. He was a very caring person.
He will be deeply missed.
Bill’s smile and humor will be missed in the neighborhood. We were all blessed to have Linda and Bill as our anchor.