Wilbert E. Lanyon (Sonny), 80, of Galena died peacefully, Monday, March 27, 2023, surrounded by loving family, to go home to his Lord Jesus, after an illness. Born August 10, 1942, at St. John’s hospital in Joplin, Missouri, Sonny was the son of Milton and Wilma (Fitch) Lanyon. Sonny attended school in Riverton. He married the love of his life Sharon Henderson September 23, 1960, in Galena. They moved to Henderson Nevada, where Sonny joined the Airforce. He served in Fairbanks, Alaska at Eielson Air Force Base. Sonny and Sharon had two sons, Scott Lanyon and Steven Lanyon. Sonny was preceded in death by his wife Sharon, sons Scott Lanyon and Steven Lanyon, sister Neva Vangunda, his mother Wilma, father Milton Lanyon, and grandparents.
After returning to Galena, Sonny worked briefly in a military explosive plant. Sonny then worked for BF Goodrich in Miami, Oklahoma until transferring to the Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant in 1986. Sonny retired and returned to Galena in 2004 Sonny was a devout Christian, serving the Lord and the churches he attended. He spent time loving and caring for his family, friends and neighbors. He remained living on his family’s farm where he grew up as a child, tending to his garden, chickens, guineas, peacocks, a small head of cattle and his dogs. Demanding work such as dropping and trimming trees, stringing fence lines, or brush hogging the fields was simply, “I am just playing.”
Sonny is survived by a sister Debbie Haney (husband Edward Haney) of Redmond Oregon, nephew Robert Vangund (wife Kim Vangunda,) of Noel Missouri as well as other nieces and nephew; sister-in-law Barbara Bishop, of Peculiar Missouri, Emmajo Henderson, Galena, brother-in-law Bobby Henderson, Galena and numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces/nephews.
Sonny chose Derfelt Funeral home for cremation. Family has no service planned at this time; a celebration of life will be set for a later date.