William L. Lesser

William Leroy Lesser, 80, passed away on Friday, September 16, 2022 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Bill was born July 17, 1942 to Ernest and Virginia Jenkins Lesser in Topeka. He grew up in North Topeka, attending Lyman Elementary School, until the '51 flood which forced the family to move to their home on Cecil Rd. (NW 35th Street). Bill then attended Rochester Grade School and Seaman High School. He worked hard in school, made good grades and was a star athlete. He was honest and kind, making many lifelong friends in high school. His SHS class of 1960 were more to him than classmates, they were brothers and sisters.

After high school, Bill attended Washburn University, playing football as an Ichabod. During his teenage years, Bill worked for his dad at Lesser Electric and grew to love the electrical business. He and his brother purchased the business from their parents in 1970 and went on to supply outstanding service to their customers throughout the city and region.

Bill struck out on his own with his business, Bill Lesser Electric Co., Inc. in 1995 and was fortunate to have excellent employees. Bill, Lisa and Steve were a trusted and skilled team that provided excellent electrical service for many years - new construction, commercial work, control work, automatic gates, remodels - they did it all and they did it well. Bill was well-liked and highly respected for his extensive electrical knowledge and skill by his peers and constituents in the construction world. In 2015 Bill sold his business to a former employee but continued to work there until he was sidelined with health issues earlier this year. It was a sad day for him.

Bill loved his home and family and was most content there - unless a grandkid had a game. He seldom missed a soccer, basketball, or football game and even made it to a few BMX races. Distance to watch them play was not an issue for Bill; he and Vicki drove to Augusta, GA to watch their granddaughter play in the NJCAA Soccer Nationals. The grands got their athletic skills from grandpa!

Bill loved the Lord and was a longtime member of Northland Christian Church and Central Park Christian Church. He recognized his need for a Savior at a Promise Keepers event in Kansas City, publicly accepting Jesus at a Ron Hutchcraft Revival at Northland and lived his life accordingly as a loving husband, father, grandpa and friend.

Bill was preceded in death by his father and mother, sister and brother-in-law Sharlyn and Dan Wallace, and brother Darryl Lesser. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Vicki, his beloved daughters Laura DelToro (Felix), Lisa Lesser (Deanna) and Christa Yingling (Brandon), grandchildren William DelToro (Jolene), Amanda DelToro Bacon (David), Jaidyn, Brooklyn and Talon Yingling, and great grandchildren Gannon and Ryleigh DelToro and Khloie Bacon, sister-in-law Elsie Lesser, and many nieces and nephews.

Family would like to express thanks to the Cotton O'Neil Cancer Center in Topeka and the amazing surgical and ICU staff at the Mayo Clinic for their professionalism and skill, dedication to their jobs, and above and beyond attitudes of kindness and consideration.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bill Lesser Electrical Technology Program Fund, Washburn Tech, C/O Kaw Valley Bank.

Memorial service for Bill will be at Parker Price Funeral Home, 245 NW Independence, Topeka, at 10:00am on Saturday, September 24th. Burial will follow at Rochester Cemetery. Family will receive visitors at Parker Price on Friday evening from 5pm-7pm.