Paul William “Bill” Studebaker

Funeral services for Paul William “Bill” Studebaker, 85, of Lawrence, KS, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 9, 2023 at First Christian Church. Interment will follow at Clinton Cemetery. He passed away Friday, November 3, 2023, at home, surrounded by his loving family.

Paul “Bill” was born May 23, 1938 in Chanute, KS, the son of Paul Murrell Studebaker and Doris Pearl Cogan.  He was a graduate of El Dorado High School in El Dorado, KS. He graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Chemical Engineering.

He married Katherine Ann Calkins on July 6, 1958 at Hillside Christian Church in Wichita, KS. She preceded him in death in 2016. After graduating from K-State, he accepted a job with Cabot Industries in Pampa, TX, moving his family from the Sunflower State for about a year. In October 1965, he accepted a position at FMC, Corp in Lawrence, KS and remained with them for 33 years, until his retirement in 1999. During his career he was a member of American Institute of Chemical Engineers, a Fellow with The Institute of Hazardous Materials Management, and a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager Master Level. Post-retirement he continued with environmental consulting, as owner of Southwind Environmental Associates, Inc.

Paul was an active member of First Christian Church, serving as an elder, Trustee, Trustee Chair & Treasurer, Trustee Emeritus, Board of Directors for The Giving Tree, and member of Joy Club.

He was also active with L.I.N.K., serving as a board member. Throughout his life he was also involved with raising, breeding, and showing Morgan horses, hauling numerous horses to countless horse shows for his three daughters. From time to time, he even hit the show ring himself! He was an active member of American Morgan Horse Association, Wheat State Morgan Horse Club, Heart of America Morgan Horse Club, 4-H, and Girl Scouts, as any good girl dad does!

Survivors include daughters Paula Meyers (Joe), Lawrence, Susan Boehnke (David), Overland Park, KS, and Pamela Kucza (Joel), Lawrence; seven grandchildren, Curtis Meyers (Mary), Daniel Meyers (Amanda), Mark Kucza (Grace), Jacob Kucza (Lyndsey), Sarah Kucza, Noah Kucza, Matthew Boehnke (Sarah); seven great-grandchildren, Kaci and Kaiden Jimboy, David Meyers, Rowan Meyers, Henry Kucza, Maggie Kucza, and Otis Kucza; one sister, Jean Denny, El Dorado, KS; One sister-in-law, Carol Murray (Ernie Doyon), Wichita, KS; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his wife, Katie, parents, infant brother (James Robert), infant sister (Mary Louise), and niece Janice Hofstetter.

The family will greet friends from 4-6pm on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

Memorials may be made in his name to LINK or The Giving Tree Scholarship Fund c/o First Christian Church and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.