William "Eddie" Edward Lawhorn

William Edward Lawhorn (Eddie) passed away peacefully on August 31, 2019 with his wife Vickie by his side at Union Hospital during a brief stay after a heart attack.  Born on January 17, 1932 in Russell Springs, Kentucky to parents Leo and Anna Wilkinson Lawhorn. Both proceeded him in death.  He was also proceeded in death by his step mother Francis Lawhorn, “The Avon Lady”.  Eddie had an older brother Ralph, also deceased.

Eddie moved with his family to Indiana from Kentucky during the 1940s.  They moved for his dad to take a job with Public Service of Indiana as a lineman.  Leo retired from PSI after 25 years of service.  Eddie’s dad was known for growing large vegetable gardens, including huge pink tomatoes from seeds they brought with them from Kentucky.

Eddie graduated Brazil High School in 1951.  During his school years, he was a Champion Golden Glove boxer in the 105# weight class.  The boxing team traveled as far as Chicago, Illinois to compete in tournaments.  Another of Eddie’s hobbies as a young man was hustling pool in the local pool halls.  He was somewhat of a pool shark, recently showing some of his grandkids how to shoot pool. 

Eddie proudly joined the Air Force in 1952, where he excelled in his training and classes.  He became a Senior Jet Fighter Mechanic.  During the Korean War, he was tasked to assemble a team of mechanics to modify a plane to carry an A-bomb.  This project was abandoned before completion.  He was stationed throughout the United States and in Japan.  During his time in Japan he trekked to the summit of Mount Fuji.  While in service to his country Eddie achieved the rank of Staff Sargent.

Spending time hanging out at Patterson Texaco, in Brazil, paid off when Eddie met his future wife, Vickie Law, while home on leave in 1957.  They married in December of 1959.  He left the Air Force a short time later and began his full time career with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  Throughout his career with the FAA Eddie received numerous achievement awards.  These awards were to recognize him for designing and implementing modifications on equipment and processes at FAA facilities.

Eddie and Vickie raised 3 children during their 59 years of marriage.  They would have celebrated 60 years in December.  Their son, Jerry Lee, was born in October of 1962.  Their daughter, Linda Kay, was born in September of 1967.  Foster daughter Melissa (Suzi) Phelps Jones, born March 1967.

In the 1960s, Eddie and Vickie purchased and ran the Brazil Transfer Moving Company. They ran this company through the late 80s. In 1976, they opened Vik’s market, a neighborhood grocery located on Logan Street on the north end of Brazil.  Eddie finally retired from the FAA in 1987 but he did not stop working.  In retirement, Eddie worked as an electrician for the City of Brazil.  He helped maintain the water and sewage treatment plants.  He also designed many projects for the city, including facilitation of equipment for the former Brazil City Zoo.  He worked with local businesses repairing and maintaining their refrigeration equipment.  In honor of his dedication, Eddie received the Gold Key to the City of Brazil in 1991.  He worked alongside other friends in his trade lending them a hand with their local projects.

Eddie was certainly a “Mr Fix it” always being called on by family, especially kids and grandkids, to repair or fix something.  We all knew he had the right tool to get the job done no matter the task, whether it be an electrical circuit board or brakes on a car he could always get it going.   Eddie enjoyed the challenge of figuring out what was wrong, repairing it, and explaining to you how it works.

He was a 32nd Degree Mason, as well as, a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign War.   Eddie was proud of the over 8 foot tall tomato plant he grew one time from his father’s pink tomato seeds.  Another source of joy was his grandkids and great grandkids.  He liked seeing them and teaching them new things.

Eddie is survived by his wife, Vickie, children Jerry Lawhorn (Reanda Kirchner), Linda Lawhorn, and Suzi Jones (Jeff). 

Grandchildren Lacey Moore (George Kritikos), Alyssa Hiatt (Dennis Meng), James Holmes III, Ronny Lawhorn, Stella and Norah Lawhorn, Trevor and Travis Jones.  

Great Grandchildren Katherine and Anastasia Kritikos, Jayzen Davis, Olivia and Dexter Meng.

At the request of Eddie, immediate family held a private graveside service with military funeral honors at Summit Lawn Cemetery on September 4, 2019 at 2pm.  Services were provided by Moore’s Funeral Home.  A celebration of life is planned at a future date to be determined.  Please feel free to extend condolences via cards or letters to Vickie Lawhorn PO Box 253, Brazil, IN 47834.