IN MEMORIAM

EXPANDED EULOGIES

Bill Thoman

Graveside military services for former Peabody police chief William J. “Bill” Thoman, 76, Lawrence, will be 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Lawrence. He died at his home Feb. 20, 2021.

He was born May 18, 1944, in Russell, Kansas, the son of Floyd Wilson Thoman and Josephine (Avis) Thoman.

Bill served his country in the United States Army, including during Vietnam, as a military police dog handler and veterinarian technician. After his time in the Army, he worked in various positions in law enforcement, including chief of police in Peabody.

In the 10 years prior to retirement, he was known as “Breathalyzer Bill” to the young people he worked with at Douglas County Youth Services.

Bill was a gun enthusiast, took pride in firearm maintenance, and was an expert marksman.

He was a member of Quail Unlimited. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, Louis L’Amour novels, gas station coffee, and scratch-off lottery tickets.

Although he feigned indifference initially, there never was a bird, dog, cat, or rabbit that didn’t love Bill immediately, and the affection was always returned.

He married Dr. Kay L. Crider Sept. 9, 1983, in Ponca City, Oklahoma. She survives.

Other survivors include his two stepdaughters and seven step-grandchildren and his portly cat, Kitty Raptor, whom he lovingly overfed.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Lawrence Humane Society and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

For more information or to post a condolence, go to warrenmcelwain.com.