Dr. Wayne Williamson

Dr. Wayne Williamson of Kansas City, Missouri passed away at the University of Kansas Hospital on April 9^th, 2022, at the age of 79.

Wayne was born in Beatrice, Nebraska on August 10^th, 1942, to Jesse James and Hazel Marjorie Williamson. He had three brothers and one sister. Wayne’s father was an evangelist for the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. His family moved throughout his childhood, and they lived several different places including Canada, Michigan, South Dakota, and Washington D.C.

In 1960, Wayne graduated high school in Lincoln, Nebraska and in 1965 he graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Physiology and minors in Biology, Chemistry and English. He taught high school math for about 5 years and was an Assistant Principal. Wayne graduated from the Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1975 and worked in family practice and occupational medicine for over 35 years. He taught smoking cessations clinics for over 6 years and made regular financial donations to the Kansas City, Missouri inner city youth basketball teams. His patients loved him for his knowledge, patience and compassion.

Wayne was a talented musician and played the guitar and keyboard in several different bands from 1963-1977 including The Vogues, Kaleidoscope, and Savage Sleep. He wrote over 250 songs and continued creating music until the day he passed away. He married his lifelong partner, Linda Williamson, in Saint Joseph, Missouri in 1965. They raised one son and three daughters. Wayne was known as “Dr. Papa” by his 8 grandchildren, who loved his humor, kindness and playful creativity. In his later years, Wayne enjoyed spending time with his family, writing songs, feeding deer in the backyard, doing Sudoku and crossword puzzles, loved the Kansas City Chiefs, and was an avid reader.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse James and Hazel Marjorie Williamson, his brothers, James and Scott Williamson, and his sister Theresa Lund.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 56 years, Linda Williamson of Kansas City, Missouri; son, Jason Williamson of Bonner Springs, Kansas; daughters, Mandy Scott of Shawnee, Kansas, Heather Santa Lucia of Overland Park, Kansas, and Lana Renk and husband Josh of Las Vegas, Nevada; grandchildren, Makenzie, Hannah, Logan, Will, Carly, Noah, Oliver and Vincent; brother, Phillip Williamson and wife Sandy of Lincoln, Nebraska; other relatives and many friends.

The family of Dr. Wayne W. Williamson will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 15, 2022, at the Wallace Funeral Home, 422 N. Lake Street, Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080. A Graveside Service and Interment will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 15, 2022, at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, 1501 N. Highway 7, Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080, with Pastor Mike Buettner, officiating. The Eulogy will be given by his son, Jason Williamson. Casket Bearers will be Jason Williamson, Logan Williamson, Noah Renk, Josh Renk, Ted Hall, Mike Suppenbach and Brett Suppenbach.

In Memory of Dr. Wayne W. Williamson, the family suggests contributions to Sunflower House, which provides specialized child assessment services for children and families impacted by abuse. Contributions may be made online at https://sunflowerhouse.org or contact Sunflower House at (913) 631-5800 for information on mailing contributions.