William Edwin "Diz" Sears

December 17, 1905 - March 14, 2003

William Edwin “Diz” Sears, of Eureka, died on Friday, March 14, 2003, at the Greenwood County Hospital at the age of 97. He was born in Greenwood County, Kansas, on December 17, 1905, the son of Thomas O. and Ada Ruth (Palmer) Sears. He attended Hardscrabble Grade School and graduated from Eureka High School. He then attended Kansas State University, the College of Emporia, and Texas Tech University. On November 28, 1930, Diz was united in marriage to Vernice L. Henley in Winfield, Kansas. They made their home in xEureka where he started Sears Insurance Agency and Real Estate Sales. In the early 1970’s he retired to pursue other interests. He was very interested in Eureka High School sports and was one of the founding members of the Tornado “E” Club. He was also an inventor and tinkerer and had applied for and received several patents. He was most proud of the patent he received for a whistling fishing bobber. On March 14, 1991, Vernice preceded him in death. Diz remained in Eureka and was active in the community until his death. He was a Member of the Christian-Congregational Church. He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Byron and Carol Sears of Anamoose, North Dakota, and James and Patricia Sears of Albuquerque, New Mexico, one daughter and son-in-law, Edyra and Kimble Henry of Towanda, Kansas, eight grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and five brothers. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, March 18, 2003, at Koup Family Funeral Home with Pastor Bill Coburn of the Christian-Congregational Church officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. A memorial has been established in his name to the Greenwood County Hospital. Contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home.