Billie Leao Emmert Sr.

Billie Leao Emmert Sr. passed away peacefully at Crown Pointe Assisted Living in Lebanon on Thursday, August 7, 2025 after several years of failing health.

Bill, as he was called by friends and family, was born on September 22, 1930 on a farm west of Max, IN to the late Austin and Adah (Broshar) Emmert. He attended Dover School for two and a half years until his parents purchased a farm two miles southeast of Advance, IN. Bill was a 1948 graduate of Advance High School. He played the clarinet in band, was guard on the basketball team and was in the 4-H Club during his high school years.

He married Phyllis Joan Johnson on May 24, 1949 in Advance, IN by Rev. Ora McDaniel. They celebrated their 75th anniversary in 2024 but had been sweethearts since they first met as teenagers showing dairy cattle in 4-H. She passed away October 12, 2024.

Bill and Phyllis lived, worked together, and raised a family on the family farm south of Advance all their married lives until 2020 when they moved to Crown Pointe Assisted Living in Lebanon, IN. Throughout the years, they raised corn, beans and small grains, dairy cows, cattle and layer chickens. They also raised Purebred Hampshire hogs. At one point in time, they had been raising registered Hampshire hogs longer than any other breeder in the state, 66 years, 1941 through 2007 and members of the National Swine Registry and the Hampshire Swine Registry.

Bill was named Boone County’s Outstanding Young Farmer in 1957 at age 27. He was chosen for his soil improvement program, crop practices, increased yields of grain crops and outstanding success in hog and cattle feeding. Additionally, Bill was a school bus driver for the Western Boone School Cooperation for 23 years starting in 1967.

Bill was very active in the Jackson Township Farm Bureau, along with the Granville Wells High School Band Boosters, S & C Club and Jackson Township 4-H. He was one of the founding members of the Boone County Pork Producers serving in leadership roles in the organizations.

The family hosted 4-H pig and production hog sales for many years. They sold hogs in 23 states, and four foreign countries. Winning numerous local, state and national awards. In 1979, Bill & Phyllis hosted the first “Farm City” tour where they explained to the public how a modern working swine farrow-to-finish operation worked.

Bill was very active in the East Christian Church of Advance which later merged with the North Christian Church to form the Advance Community Christian Church. In 1993, Bill let his sons run the farm and volunteered to oversee the building of the Advance Community Christian Church. He felt the calling to lead this effort and spent countless hours day and night working on the construction of the church.

Bill was humbled and proud of the fact that his ancestors were among the first settlers of Boone County with the Emmerts coming to the Jamestown area in 1832. Generations of Emmerts have been farming in Jackson Township for nearly 200 years now. Bill started farming with horses along with his dad and expanded, diversified and adapted the farm to new technology throughout the years.

Throughout his life, Bill was led by his faith and loved his family, church and church family. He was known as a hard worker and was actively involved in farming operations into his late eighties before developing health issues.

Bill is survived by children: Kathy (Phil) Lemper, Garrett, IN, John (Vicki) Emmert, Darlington, IN, Bill Jr. (Sherry) Emmert, Jamestown, IN and Brenda (George) Stunyo, Grand Rapids, MN. He was known as Papaw to his twelve grandchildren: Beth (Greg) Riffe, Phil Jr. (Tara) Lemper, Tim Lemper, Miranda (Rich) Serletic, Julie (Clinton) Taylor, Janell (Tom) Anderson, Nathan Emmert, John (Amy) Farmer, David (Annah) Emmert, Christine Stunyo and Tom (Erin) Stunyo. Also, surviving are 19 great-grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren. Additionally, Bill is survived by brother-in-law Joe Johnson of Advance, IN. Predeceasing him were his wife Phyllis Joan Emmert, grandson Scott Stunyo and sister Utokia Bush Anderson.

Funeral arrangements are by Strawmyer & Drury Funeral Home of Lebanon. The visitation and funeral will be at the Advance Community Church in Advance, IN. Visitation and funeral will be on Saturday, August 16, 2025, viewing will start at 10 am until funeral at 2:00 pm. Burial to follow at the Old Union Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Advance Community Church in his memory.