Mr. Lance Eric Waggoner a resident of Greensboro, Alabama  and formerly of Shelbyville, Illinois entered into eternal rest May 7, 2026.

Born November  27,1955 in Shelbyville, Illinois. Lance lived a  life deeply rooted in the outdoors, in the land, and in the loyal companionship of his dogs and his family.

A Celebration of Life  will be held Sunday, May 31, 2026 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM  at  the Event Center (9681 Highway 69 S ) Greensboro, Alabama.

Lance grew up in Shelbyville before his family moved to Collinsville, Illinois, where he spent much of his youth. His family later settled in Highland, Illinois, where he attended Highland High School, proudly suiting up as a member of the Fighting Bulldogs football team. Lance loved the game and the camaraderie it brought — a spirit of teamwork and shared purpose that would define him throughout his life. After graduating in 1974, he lived in various places before settling in Staunton, Illinois, where he and his former wife Peggy Waggoner developed a tree farm that reflected his deep and abiding connection to the land. He later moved to Mulberry Grove, Illinois, before ultimately finding his way to Greensboro, Alabama — the land he had always dreamed of calling home.

In Greensboro, Lance realized a lifelong vision. He purchased his dream property and set about transforming it into something truly special — not a farm in the traditional sense, but a living landscape built for wildlife and the sporting life he loved. He cultivated duck, catfish and crawfish ponds, leveraging every acre with purpose and passion. It was a place of great vision and opportunity, shaped by a man who understood the land and knew exactly what he wanted from it.

Lance was an avid hunter who pursued every manner of game with equal enthusiasm through every season. For Lance, hunting was never just a solitary pursuit — it was an event, a tradition, and a celebration shared with the family and friends he loved. Whether it was an early morning in a duck blind or a full day in the field, he made sure the people around him were part of the experience, creating memories that those who hunted alongside him will carry for the rest of their lives.

He had a particular love for Boykin Spaniels and Labrador Retrievers, and his dedication to his dogs ran deep. Lance trained dogs and competed in field trials through the Boykin Spaniel Society — a passion he was proud to share with his brother Blake and his daughter Alesha, making the sport not just a calling but a family bond. To Lance, a well-trained dog wasn't just a tool in the field — it was a partner, and he poured real skill and heart into that work.

Lance also cherished his faith and the fellowship he shared with his church and dear friends, who were a constant source of joy and community in his life most recently.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore Paul and Marilyn Rose Waggoner, and his brothers, George T. Waggoner and Edward F. Waggoner.

Lance is survived by his life partner, Beth Mills; his daughters, Alesha Ronat and her husband Rob of Edwardsville, Illinois, and Alexi Marti and her husband Phil of Highland, Illinois; his grandchildren, Etta Ronat, Millie Ronat, and Katelyn Hagler and her husband Blake; his siblings, Blake Waggoner and his wife Shelby, Karla Anderson and her husband Dave, and Karen Premier and her husband Gordon; his sister-in-law, Amy Waggoner; Wendy Deibert, Stormi Kidd and her husband Mark; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends whose lives he touched.

Lance Waggoner was a man of the land, a man of loyalty — to his dogs, to his fellow hunters, and to the people he loved. He was a man of vision who didn't just live on the land — he shaped it, nurtured it, and made it sing. His daughter Alexi shared that vision, seeing in the Greensboro property the same promise and possibility that her father saw, a bond that deepened their relationship and kept her close to his heart. In his final chapter, Lance and Beth were building that vision together, side by side, transforming the property into something greater than either could have imagined alone. Their shared dream was a testament to the life they were creating and the future they believed in. The fields, the ponds, and the land they loved will forever bear the mark of his care, and he will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Forever Wild Land Trust (alabamaforeverwild.com) or another meaningful cause to Lance's memory. Larkin and Scott Mortuary, LLC entrusted with arrangements.