Roger Lee Williams

Roger Lee Williams , lifelong Kansas farmer, father, brother, and friend, passed away Monday, February 23, 2026 after a courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

Roger was born April 19, 1955 at Bethel Deaconess Hospital, Newton, KS to Donald and Betty Williams. Roger was a farmer and lived his whole working life three miles west of Florence on the homeplace of his grandparents, Hank and Allie Williams. From sunup to well past sundown Roger worked tirelessly tending fields, ranching cattle, operating his fertilizer business and driving a truck in between harvests.

He married Laura Brose in 1979 and they had two daughters, Stacia and Sarah. Roger’s daughters were his prize. He loved to attend their high school basketball, volleyball, track, swim and softball games whenever he could. Both Stacia and Sarah graduated from Kansas State University, and Roger became a KSU Wildcat alongside them.

Roger graduated from Marion High School in 1973 and completed two years at Wichita State University before assuming the responsibilities of the family farm full-time. Roger had a reputation for hard work, honest dealings, and helping friend or stranger. Anyone in the County knew that if they needed something – a hand in the field, help on the tractor, or just someone to listen – they could call Roger. He loved to talk on the phone, often beginning every conversation with a discussion about the weather – as any true farmer would. His family farm business expanded to include custom fertilizer and herbicide application, seed and custom trucking.

Roger served on the USD 408 Marion-Florence school board and as board president for several years.

Roger never met a stranger. His laugh was contagious. He loved a good story and was an enthusiastic storyteller himself. We imagine him in heaven driving his pickup to check crops with one of his dogs hanging out the window and “Wide Open Spaces” at full volume on the radio.

Roger’s final days were spent in the loving care of Bethesda Home, Goessel, KS. He is survived by his two daughters, Stacia Williams Noll (Byron) and Sarah Williams (DeAngelo Torres), two grandchildren, and two sisters, Rita Linnens (Maurice) and Rhonda Heerey (Brad). Condolences may be sent c/o Yazel-Megli Funeral Home PO Box 96, Marion, KS 66861 or online at www.yazelmeglifh.com. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am April 11th at the Peabody Methodist Church.