In Memory Of
Laird Don Williams
Laird Don Williams
Laird Don Williams, 60, Topeka, died of cancer on Friday, Aug. 8, 2003 at Midland Hospice House.
He was born Aug. 12, 1942 in Lawrence, the son of Laird D. and Erma A. Whitaker Williams. He came to Topeka in the 1950's, attended Topeka public schools, graduating from Washburn Rural High School in 1960. He was an all-state basketball player on the 1960 state championship team. He received a BS degree in Education from Washburn University in 1965, and a MS in Learning Disabilities in 1970 from the University of Kansas.
He taught at Southard School on the Menninger campus, and later was a Methods and Materials Consultant in Learning Disabilities in Olathe, KS. He taught at Washburn Rural High School for 32 years, twenty of those as a social studies teacher and 12 as a special education teacher, before retiring in 2002. He served as assistant boys basketball coach for 12 years, and 4 years as head coach. The 1985 team won the class 5A state basketball championship, and he was named city coach of the year and KBCA state coach of the year. He was head boys golf coach for 23 years and the 1997 team won the 6A state golf championship. He was inducted into the Washburn Rural High School Hall of Fame in 2003.
He was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder. He also was a member of several teacher organizations.
He married Judith A. Deatz on June 27, 1964 in Hutchinson. She survives.
Other survivors include 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Todd D. and Debbie Williams of Pleasant Valley, MO and Jeffrey S. and Penny Williams of Topeka; mother, Erma Williams of Eldon, MO; sister, D. LaVange Boone of Overland Park; 4 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father and a brother, Kaye Davis Williams.
Cremation is planned. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 pm Tuesday at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Private inurnment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Monday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the L. Don Williams Scholarship Fund, Washburn Rural High School, 5900 SW 61st, Topeka 66619.
He was born Aug. 12, 1942 in Lawrence, the son of Laird D. and Erma A. Whitaker Williams. He came to Topeka in the 1950's, attended Topeka public schools, graduating from Washburn Rural High School in 1960. He was an all-state basketball player on the 1960 state championship team. He received a BS degree in Education from Washburn University in 1965, and a MS in Learning Disabilities in 1970 from the University of Kansas.
He taught at Southard School on the Menninger campus, and later was a Methods and Materials Consultant in Learning Disabilities in Olathe, KS. He taught at Washburn Rural High School for 32 years, twenty of those as a social studies teacher and 12 as a special education teacher, before retiring in 2002. He served as assistant boys basketball coach for 12 years, and 4 years as head coach. The 1985 team won the class 5A state basketball championship, and he was named city coach of the year and KBCA state coach of the year. He was head boys golf coach for 23 years and the 1997 team won the 6A state golf championship. He was inducted into the Washburn Rural High School Hall of Fame in 2003.
He was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder. He also was a member of several teacher organizations.
He married Judith A. Deatz on June 27, 1964 in Hutchinson. She survives.
Other survivors include 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Todd D. and Debbie Williams of Pleasant Valley, MO and Jeffrey S. and Penny Williams of Topeka; mother, Erma Williams of Eldon, MO; sister, D. LaVange Boone of Overland Park; 4 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father and a brother, Kaye Davis Williams.
Cremation is planned. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 pm Tuesday at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Private inurnment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Monday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the L. Don Williams Scholarship Fund, Washburn Rural High School, 5900 SW 61st, Topeka 66619.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Laird Don Williams, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Monday, August 11, 2003
Starts at 8:00 pm (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Service
Tuesday, August 12, 2003
Starts at 4:00 pm (Central time)
Trinity Presbyterian Church
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