William "Bill" Southard, Jr.

William Eugene Southard, Jr. passed away on June 2, 2025, at his home in Topeka, Kansas with his wife Nancy by his side. He was born June 16, 1943, in St. Louis, Missouri to his parents, William E. and Mildred N. Francis Southard; both deceased. He married Nancy A. Vawter on October 5, 1968, in Scranton, Kansas at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. They were married for over 56 years. Bill served in the US Air Force from 1966 to 1970, mostly at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka. After his service, they moved to Norfolk, Virginia to complete his bachelor’s degree in accounting at Old Dominion University. In 1972, he began his career with the State of Kansas as an accountant for the Governor’s Committee on Criminal Administration until 1981, when he moved to the Division of Information and Computing as a programmer after completing classes at Washburn University. In 1996, he started with KPERS until he retired in 1999. While raising their children in Carbondale, he served eight years on the Santa Fe Trail USD 434 School Board. Golf was Bill’s passion. He started playing in junior high, riding his bike to the Little Creek Naval Base Golf Course in Norfolk, Virginia. He was on the golf team for Norview High School where he graduated in 1961 and continued to play for Old Dominion during college. He made three hole-in-ones during his lifetime. The first at the age of 16 on the 6th hole at Ocean View Golf Course, another at Prairie View Country Club, and one while vacationing at the Lake of the Ozarks—places where he made lasting memories. He also placed first in the Topeka Golf Association Senior Stroke Play in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Bill enjoyed gardening and became known as the “tomato man” to his friends and neighbors. He and Nancy also shared a love for bass fishing, creating many memories with Richard and Jayne Bleam before their beloved children came into their lives. Bill leaves behind his wife, Nancy; children, Leann (Scott Novak) of Lawrence, Wes (Kellen Drury) of Kansas City, Missouri; Jess and granddaughters, Saydie and Hadley Southard of Topeka; sister, Phyllis (Ray) McArdle of Texas; brother, Sam (Becky) Southard of Missouri; sisters-in-law, Lois (Duane) Shuck of Overbrook and Mary (Greg) Burgett of Carbondale; brother-in-law, Jim Vawter of Scranton; and many nieces, nephews, and cherished friends. Services will be at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5973 SW 25th Street, Topeka KS 66614, on Monday June 9, 2025. Visitation will start at 9:30 a.m. Rosary at 10:30 a.m. and Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Santa Fe Trail High School Ladies Golf Team, Carbondale, KS or Midland Hospice Care, Topeka, KS, in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Condolences may be sent online at www.kevinbrennanfamily.com

William "Bill" Southard, Jr.

June 16, 1943 - June 2, 2025