Melvern - Leo "Bill" Lawhorn, Jr., 86, passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, Kansas. He was born on October 30, 1936, in Hereford, Texas, the son of Leo and Thelma (Hagans) Lawhorn, Sr.

Bill had grown up in Melvern and graduated from Melvern High School in 1954. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Biology and became a Wildlife Biologist for the Bureau of Land Management for over 35 years. He traveled with this job and had lived in North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado and California before returning to Kansas. He was an avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting, fishing and going to his grandkid's games.

Bill served in the United States Air Force as an Airman 2nd Class from 1955 to 1959.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Thelma.

Bill is survived by his four children, Jim (Shelly) Lawhorn of Eudora, Darin (Cheryl) Lawhorn of Meriden, Robert Hagen of Damascus, Virginia and Linda Mills of Hays; his two brothers, Jerry Lawhorn of Ottawa and Jim (Jean) Lawhorn of Eudora; his two sisters, Lynita Osborne of Osawatomie and Joetta (Ron) Vowell of Carbondale; eight grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30pm on Thursday, July 6 at the Melvern United Methodist Church. Inurnment will be in the Melvern Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Jefferson County Humane Society, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Avenue, Lyndon, KS 66451.