BURLINGAME, Kan. – Willis Elgin DeWitt, 85, died February 24, 2023. He was born June 16, 1937.

Willis grew up in rural Harveyville, Kan., and lived his adult life in Burlingame, Kan. He was the youngest son of Ivan DeWitt and Anna (Elgin) DeWitt.

Willis married Peggy Kivitter in 1957; they later divorced. To this union they had two boys, Willis Elvin DeWitt, Pittsburgh, Kan., and Wayne Eric DeWitt.

On Sept. 3, 1965, he married Betty Morey Hawker. To this union came a stepdaughter, Wendy Hinckm, White Cloud, Kan., and two daughters, JoEtta Wheeler, Virginia Beach, Va., and DeAnna Bean (Grady), Osage City, Kan.

Willis worked as a materials tester for the Kansas Highway Department, out of the Garnett, Kan., office. He was a farmer and a rancher. He was a logger of standing walnut and timber, and raised racing Greyhounds.

Willis loved to hunt and fish, share stories, throw dice, and play cards.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Anna; a son, Wayne; a great-grandson, Wiley Colson; five brothers, Boyd, Darrell, Neal, Ellis and Kane DeWitt; and three sisters, Helen Selby, Bonnie Oyler and Georgia Lacy.

He is survived by two sisters, Glenda Supple, Topeka, Kan., and Gloria Bimslager, Warrenton, Mo. He has 19 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and lifelong friends.

Graveside services and inurnment will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 8, at the Wilmington Cemetery, 11200 Wilmington Rd., Harveyville.

Memorial contributions can be made to Federated Church of Burlingame and sent in care of Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, PO Box 194, Burlingame, KS 66413.

Condolences can be left at www.lamb-roberts.com.