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.
