LAWRENCE – Willard Elden “Timber” Harwood, 95, died Feb. 6, 2014 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
Elden was born July 10, 1918 in Tonganoxie, the son of William T. and Emma Jane (Cannon) Harwood.
Elden began his career in the theater business at age 14 putting up marques at the Pattee Theater in Lawrence. His first manager position began at the age of 18. After serving as a Sargent in the U.S. Army Air Corp in India during WWII, he returned home to continue his career in the theater business. He worked for Commonwealth Theaters as a manager in Norton, Great Bend, Carrollton, Mo., Springfield, Mo. and Creston, Iowa. Before he retired at age 70, he was a district manager for Commonwealth, which covered Lawrence and all of Kansas.
He became a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church in 1933. He was also a member of the Lawrence Rotary Club, and was a Mason. He served on the city council in Great Bend and was mayor from 1961–1965.  
He married Gwenneth G. Praeger on Oct. 31, 1949 at the Praeger homestead in Claflin.  She preceded him in death Nov. 12, 2002.
Survivors include three daughters, Molly A. Harwood and Allan Stillman, Gwenneth B. “Junior” Wedd and husband Dirk, Charlotte Lawrenz and husband Randy Wells, all of Lawrence; two sons, Duncan E. Harwood and wife Patty Chaney Harwood, Dallas, Texas; Mark W. Harwood, Lawrence; grandchildren, Spencer Lawrenz, Michael Besaw, A.R. Wells (Barb), J.D. Wells, Christy Ball (John), Lelah Harwood, Lizzy Harwood Sanders (David), Ben Harwood, Shane Wedd, Lora Wedd Hardesty (Scott), Emma Stillman; great-grandchildren, Vaughn Wells, Kiera Wells, Hudson, Harrison and Halle Hardesty, Luke Harwood, Justice, Jalen and Jacoree Sanders, and Kat and Taylor Ball.
Two brothers, Winston and Milfred; and a sister, Margaret, preceded him in death.
Funeral services are scheduled at 11 a.m. Friday Feb. 14 at Plymouth Congregational Church, Lawrence. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in his name designated to USD 497, Lawrence High School Fine Arts Department and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Online condolences may be sent to
www.warrenmcelwain.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Warren-McElwain Mortuary *
120 W. 13th Street
Lawrence, KS, 66044
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 9, 2014