William Joseph Lehman, 71, of Warrensburg died Monday, April 11, at Western Missouri Medical Center.

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, April 15, at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri, with full military honors provided by Whiteman Air Force Base Honor Guard.

William was born Sept. 22, 1944, in Washington, Indiana, the son of Clifford T. and Thelma E. (Keasling) Lehman. He was raised in Bruceville, Indiana, where he graduated from high school. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1962, and he was stationed at Takli Air Force Base in Thailand. William was united in marriage to Joyce A. Crouse on July 2, 1966, in Bruceville. Shortly after, he was stationed at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. The next year, he was reassigned to Bien Hoa Air Force Base in Vietnam. His military career took the family to Craig Air Force Base in Alabama; Hahn Air Force Base in Germany and Rickenbacher Air Force Base in Columbus, Ohio. In 1979, he was reassigned to Whiteman Air Force Base. William was a Vehicle Maintenance Superintendent for 18 years, and later, Missile Maintenance Superintendent for two years, retiring in 1982.

Following his Air Force career, he worked in Civil Service at Richards-Gebauer Air Force Base in Grandview. More recently, until his health declined, William was in plumbing and electric with his two sons. His hobbies included fishing, camping and hunting.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce; two sons, William Lehman Jr. and wife, Velma, and Christopher Lehman and wife, Brenda, all of Warrensburg; two sisters, Linda Bates and husband, Doug of West Terre Haute, Indiana, and Brenda Neighbors and husband, Ron of Georgia; three brothers, Tom Lehman and wife, Debbie of Bruceville, Indiana; Kenneth Lehman of Central City, Kentucky, and Les King and wife, Pam of Indianapolis; five grandchildren, Sadie, Ashley and husband, Jon, Kaycee, Levi and C. J.; two great-grandsons, Ashton and Brayden; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions are suggested to American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in Kansas City.

Arrangements entrusted to Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg.

Online condolences may be left at williamsfuneralchapel.net.