Willa Lou (McCauley) Sawyer

Willa Lou Sawyer, 86, of Baldwin City, KS went to be with her Lord on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at her home surrounded by her children.  She was born August 10, 1936 to Eleanor (Oliver) McCauley and Abby McCauley in Ottawa, KS.

Willa attended school in Wellsville and Baldwin City.

She was united in marriage to Donald M. Sawyer on January 16, 1953.  They shared over fifty-eight years of marriage before his passing on August 28, 2011.

Willa worked thirty-two years at Baker University beginning as a cook and later for the maintenance department. She received a special award, Employee of the Year in 1999.  Willa retired in 2006.

She was a member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church, Baldwin City, KS. She taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School at Friends Church in Lawrence and the Assembly of God Church in Baldwin City when her children were young. She also played guitar in a Country Western Band in the 1970’s and performed at Vinland, the Maple Leaf Festival and the Miami County Fair.  She will be remembered for her crocheting, ceramics and most of all her pies.  Willa loved her Lord and her Family. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; her parents; sisters Alberta McDaniel, Ethel McDaniel and several half-siblings.

Willa is survived by her children Rick Sawyer and wife, Lorie, Lawrence, KS, Robin Peters, Boynton Beach, FL, Tammy Davis and husband, Craig, Baldwin City, KS, Ronnie Sawyer and wife, Zabida, Lehigh Acres, FL;  eighteen grandchildren, Nate Sawyer, Jessica Hamm, Amber Jackson, Shikira Gray-Hersh, Leslie Peters, Jacob Peters, First Sergeant Gabriel Sawyer, Yasmine Felton, Jesse Smith, Sterling Smith, Tara Rector, Lori Kelley, Tina Davis, Sheri Harshaw, Crystal Davis-Taylor, Leslie Waterman, Briana Kems, and Rhonda Weatherbie-McLouth; Thirty-three great grandchildren; two sisters in law, Junadah Admire and Dollie Jean Moore;  several nieces and nephews; and her beloved dog, Heidi. 

To celebrate Willa’s life, a funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, December 9, 2022 at the Lighthouse Baptist Church, 700 Chapel Street, Baldwin City, KS 66006.  Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Baldwin City, KS.  The family will receive friends before the service at 10 a.m. at the Lighthouse Baptist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lighthouse Baptist Church and sent in c/o the Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 64, Baldwin City, KS 66006.  Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.

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