Billy Lee Linhart

Billy Lee Linhart, 72 of Emporia died Thursday, March 7, 2019 at his home after a year-long battle with brain cancer.

Bill was born September 5, 1946 in Ottawa, Kansas the son of Artie and Ruth (Pock) Linhart. He grew up in Olivet and Waverly, Kansas. He received his Bachelor of Science from the College of Emporia where he was a three year letterman in basketball. In 2010, he was inducted into the C of E Athletic Hall of Fame. He also earned a master’s degree from Emporia State University. Prior to moving back to Emporia in 1977, he coached boys basketball and taught in Hartford, Scott City and Kingman, Kansas. Bill coached basketball at Emporia High School from 1977-1981 and was a teacher at the school for 29 years, retiring in 2006.

Bill was a Kansas high school and college basketball official for more than 35 years, and is a member of the Kansas Collegiate Officials Hall of Fame. He was a founding member of Officials Against Cancer and involved in the organization for 11 years. He enjoyed golf, exercising and spending time in his yard. But his proudest activity was being with his grandchildren and cheering on his great nieces and nephews.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Sharon L. (Starkey) Linhart. Other survivors include: daughters Stefanie Sparks (Kevin) of Olathe, Kansas, Heather Linhart Zang (Frank) of Salt Lake City, Utah; brother Fred Linhart (Sally) of Emporia, sister Linda Stockton (Sam) of Martin, Tennessee; grandchildren Nathan Sparks, Natalie Sparks, Alexander Zang and Ethan Zang; 10 nieces and nephews; as well as, 19 great nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Deanna Stewart.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 18, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church. Pastor Karla Sheffy will be officiating. A private inurnment will occur at a later date. The family will greet friends immediately following the service at a reception in the church’s fellowship hall.

Contributions may be made to the Bill Linhart Memorial Scholarship for Emporia High School graduates through the Emporia Community Foundation (emporiacf.org/make-donation) or through Officials Against Cancer (officialsagainstcancer.org/donate) and sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home 605 State Street, Emporia, KS 66801.