William Lenoir

Obituary

Willie B. Lenoir, 78, passed away on November 24, 2025, at Life Care Kansas City. He was born on December 27, 1946, in Prairie, Mississippi, to Charles Curtis Lenoir, Sr. and Mable Fears Lenoir. Willie grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, where he graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1964. After high school, he attended the University of Kansas for many years, earning multiple bachelor’s and master’s degrees in performing arts, theater, and business. His greatest passions and achievements were dancing and being an amazing tailor.

After college, Willie began working at KU as a dance professor in the early 1980s and retired in 2018 after 30 years of service. He was active in multiple community and church organizations that served the homeless community in Lawrence, Kansas. He enjoyed dance, sewing, fishing, and reading comic books. Willie also received numerous awards for both teaching and dancing.

Willie was preceded in death by his father, Charles Curtis Lenoir Sr., and his mother, Mable Fears Lenoir.

He is survived by his sister, Minnie Lenoir (of Evanston, Illinois); two brothers, Charles Curtis Lenoir Jr. (of Shawnee, Kansas) and Tommie Lenoir Sr. (of Kansas City, Kansas); as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A viewing will be held from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 A.M. on December 13, 2025, at Thatcher’s Funeral Home (1520 North 5th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66101). The family will greet friends and relatives at that time, and burial will follow at Highland Park Cemetery. Condolences may be left for Willie B. Lenoir. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to everyone who attends, as well as to the staff of Life Care Kansas City.

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