Larry Haney

Lawrence William Haney, 75 of Butler, Missouri passed away September 29, 2023 at Research Medical Center with his wife of 41 years at his side. Funeral services will be 11:00am Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Butler Presbyterian Church in Butler, Mo. Visitation will be prior to services from 10-11:00am at the church. Cremation to be accorded following services. Memorial contributions are suggested to Butler Presbyterian Church. Messages and memories for the family may be left at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com. Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home of Butler, 660-679-0009.
Larry was born on May 4, 1948 in Butler, Mo., to Dr. D. Ross Haney and Neva Ruth (Perrill) Haney. He attended Butler Elementary and High Schools where he was a member of the last graduating class at the old high school building in 1966. Throughout school Larry spent a good deal of time on the football field, with a football and his trombone. Larry went on to attend Mizzou where he was part of Marching Mizzou and earned degrees in education and English. He spent his teaching career wrangling 8th graders in New Franklin, Excelsior Springs, and Smith Hale Jr. High School and retired to pursue a more relaxing career at the IRS for 20 years. Larry finally retired again in 2022.
Larry began traveling at a young age with his parents and siblings and continued the tradition with his own family. His escapades included trips to Europe, South America, and all 50 states. During long, leisurely summers Larry took his family on month-long vacations, packing up the mini-van and heading out at 11:00pm, after a Bates County Nostalgia Band concert. Vacations included touring many national parks, taking film footage of any passing train, and sometimes locking the keys in the car. Along with traveling, music was another life-long passion. Larry played his trombone and the bass drum simultaneously, the piano, and dabbled on the guitar, in addition to singing. He was the fearless leader of the choir at Butler Presbyterian Church, where he was an ordained elder. He also led the Bates County Nostalgia Band and the Community Choir for decades. When he wasn't traveling or making music, he could be found watching one of his favorite teams - the Royals, Chiefs, and Tigers.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Ruth (Haney) Schwieterman and Daniel Haney.
Larry is survived by his wife, Fran (Dunning) Haney of Butler, Mo., daughter Laura Haney (Andrew McMahon) of St. Louis, Mo., and stepsons Mat (Pam) Huffman of Springfield, Mo., and Tom (Debbie) Huffman of Lee's Summit, Mo. Larry leaves his legacy to his grandchildren: Riker McMahon, Andy (Sydney) Huffman, Troy Huffman, Shawn Huffman, Kyle (Lyndi) Tiggemann, Blake (Christa) Tiggemann, and Cara Villa.
"The leader of the band is tired, and his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul
My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man
I'm just a living legacy to the leader of the band."