William Earl Holman

William “Bill” Earl Holman, 76, of Lexington, Missouri passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023, with his loving family and friends by his side, at Lafayette Regional Health Center in Lexington, MO.

Rosary will be recited at 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 5, 2024, at Walker-Nadler-Fuller Funeral Home, 1720 S. St., Lexington, MO. Visitation will follow from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 5, 2024, at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 6, 2024, at the First Baptist Church, 525 S. Bus. Hwy 13, Lexington, MO. with burial in Machpelah (Memorial Park) Cemetery. The Rev. Terrell Finnell will officiate.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Lexington Youth Athletics (Little League Football) or Lexington Little League Baseball/Softball. Memories of Bill and condolences for his family may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or on our Facebook Page.

Bill was born on April 20, 1947, in Kansas City, Missouri to Cebert Earl and Alda Marie (Simonetti) Holman.  He graduated in 1965 from Lexington High School. It was during this time in his life that Bill played drums for the highly popular band, “The Rising Suns" and would continue to play for the next 50 years with his fellow musicians for reunion tours and special events. Bill received his associate degree from Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, MO. and then his bachelor’s degree in business from Central Missouri State University (UCM) in Warrensburg, MO. On February 18, 1971, Bill was united in marriage to LaWanda Jean Kaiser in Lexington, MO. 

Bill loved his community and was very active throughout his life. He was well known throughout his career in the insurance business. He retired from Western Southern Insurance Company (after 30 plus years of service) as a sales manager in 2001. Bill served many years as a Reserve Police Officer and oversaw those operations with the rank of Lieutenant for the Lexington Police Department.  Bill was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lexington, Tau Kappa Epsilon Social Fraternity (TKE), Tribe Mic-O-Say, an Eagle Scout of Troop 418, and the Lexington Elks Lodge.  His tribal name was Little Running Buffalo. In 2016, Bill was inducted into the newly established Minutemen Athletic Hall of Fame (first class of inductees) as “Special Contributor.” He was the Grand Marshall of the Lexington Fair parade in 2021.

Bill had a love for sports and left a lasting impact on youth athletics in Lexington. His passion and dedication led him to coach (for over 50 years) for both the Lexington Midget League Baseball (team Maid-Rite) and Lexington Little League Football (team Jets) programs. He also coordinated the football program for several years. Recently, the community honored him by naming one of the baseball fields in his honor. He was an avid Chiefs Football fan and worked security for 13 years at the Chiefs Ambassador tent.  Bill enjoyed seeing the youth of Lexington excel in sports and life and took great pride watching the athletes he coached go on and accomplish many great things on and off the playing fields. It is often noted how he was a father figure to so many young athletes. He also loved watching his grandchildren play sports.

Bill also enjoyed meeting and “talking” to people. Chatting about sports, police work or life in general, he would often engage in lively (and lengthy) conversation. But above all of these things, it was his love for his family that shined through.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, LaWanda Holman of Lexington, MO.; a daughter, Kimberly “Kim” Dorris and husband Joe of Lebanon, MO.; three grandchildren, Kaylee Jo Dorris and Fiancé DeVante Chew of Lebanon, MO., Kyle Joseph Dorris and wife Ally of Lebanon, MO., and Kolby Joel Dorris of Lebanon, MO.; three great-grandchildren, Amiah Blake Chew, Creedence Joseph Dorris, and Callan Lee Dorris; a sister, Mary Ann Florence of Lexington, MO.; two brothers-in-laws, Lloyd Kaiser and wife Gail of Marshall, MO. and Jeff Kaiser of Leavenworth, KS; a dear family friend, Nellie Barnes of Lexington, MO.; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, relatives, and friends. 

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law, John R. and Diana Holman; a sister in infancy, Gloria M. Holman; two brothers-in-law, Robert E. Florence and Pat Kaiser; and mother and father-in-law, Phillip and Ramona Kaiser.

Bill always believed in treating people how he would want to be treated. He would often remind those around him to be both respectful and kind.