William B. Lacefield

Franklin, IN – William B. Lacefield, age 90, passed away peacefully on Christmas Day, 2024. He was born October 10, 1934, in Livermore, McLean Co., KY, the youngest of five children born to the late Harve Delbert and Daisy Trunnell Lacefield.

He was, for 68 years, the loving husband of Janice F. Lacefield and the very proud father of Shannon Kaye Lacefield and Stephanie Lynn Lacefield Lewis; respected father-in-law of Stephen Wayne Lewis; doting grandfather (Grandad) of his six grandchildren Taylor Wade Knapp (Katelyn), Colin Joel Knapp, Kelsey Leigh Knapp, Emma Rae Lewis, Nicholas Stephen Lewis (Katie) and Samuel Bryant Lewis (Edith); and great-grandfather of Rileigh Jo Mantel, Luca Remington Guyer, Lennon Parker Lewis, Hudson Bryant Knapp, Liam Mackenzie Lewis, Lochlan Wells Lewis and Levi Theodore Lewis. His legacy of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the apples of his eye. His love for these was second only to his love of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Bill graduated from Livermore High School, Livermore, KY; Kentucky Wesleyan College, Owensboro, KY; and earned his PhD in organic chemistry from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN. Following graduation from Vanderbilt, he went to work for Eli Lilly & Co in Indianapolis, IN where he worked primarily in cardiovascular research until his retirement after 28 years in 1993. During his retirement, Bill researched and published his and Janice’s family’s genealogy as far back as the early 1600’s, as well as The Heroes of McClean County, KY, a book about the men from his home county who served in WWII.

He married his high school sweetheart, Janice Faye Wade, on June 22, 1956, during his junior year at Kentucky Wesleyan College and was her faithful husband during the 68 years they were married, until she preceded him in death on June 2nd of this year. Together, they loved to travel and host friends and family in their home and on their beloved St. George Island.

Bill belonged to and served as Deacon Emeritus of Southport Baptist Church and is a current member of First Baptist Church of Greenwood. Bill was a member of Livermore Lodge F & AM 186 and Greenwood Lodge F & AM 514. He was also a member of the Prather York Rite Bodies of Indianapolis, of Murat Shrine of Indianapolis and the Clarence A. Cook Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was a 55-year member of the American Chemical Society and Society of Sigma Xi.

Visitation for family will be Friday January 3rd, 2024, at Flanner Buchanan – Washington Park East from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. with public visitation from 11:00 am - 12 pm. Funeral services will begin at 12:00 pm with graveside service following.

Chaplain Elaine Clark, from Compass Park where Janice and Bill spent their last 2 years, will be officiating. Bill will be laid to rest at Washington Park East Cemetery .In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Affinity Health Management.