Published by: Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home
Huntsville, TX

Lisa Dawn Bigenwalt-Hobaugh-Simmons of Montgomery, Texas passed away on April 29, 2017 in Montgomery, Texas. Lisa was born on August 26, 1964 to Joseph Vincent and Linda Kay Bigenwalt in Olathe, Kansas. She is survived by her loving husband, Jerry Anthony Simmons, parents, Joseph and Linda Bigenwalt, mother-in-law Nancy Kerns-Simmons, brother Vincent Lee Bigenwalt, Nephew, James Vincent Bigenwalt, father-in-law, Gene Hobaugh; sister & brother-in-law Julie and Clifford Current; children, Joshua Hobaugh(wife Maria), Kayli Grace, Kyle Hobaugh (fianceé) Michaela Heard, Sarah Hobaugh, Rebecca Simmons, Anthony Simmons; grandchildren, Logan Hobaugh, Lacey Hobaugh, Alyssa Hobaugh, Reid Elizabeth Hobaugh, Colton Toney, Shayla Toney and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins.

Lisa was preceded in death by father-in-law, Wayne F. Simmons, brother-in-law, Gary Simmons, and grandparents. A Memorial service officiated by Pastor Nick Withers ,in loving memory, at Union Grove Baptist Church in Richards, Texas on May 4, 2017 at 2 p.m.

Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home Obituary

 

 

Lawrence Teen Gets 20 Years In Shooting Death
October 29, 1982
LAWRENCE, Kan (AP) – An 18-year-old Lawrence woman was sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison Thursday in the shooting death of her great uncle.

Lisa Bigenwalt had pleaded guilty Sept. 28 to an amended charge of aiding and abetting voluntary manslaughter in the death of Don Hatchell, 49. She had been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated robbery and attempted kidnapping.

Hatchell’s body was found June 11 (1982) under a Douglas County bridge. Authorities said the body was dumped under the bridge after he was shot two days earlier in his home.

A 15-year-old Lawrence youth, William McTaggert, was charged with juvenile delinquency in the case and is being held in Topeka youth center.

Teen pleads to lesser crime in June killing
Lawrence Journal World
September 28, 1982
By Don Winingham J-W Staff Writer

A Douglas County teen-ager this morning pleaded guilty to reduced charges in connection with the June killing of her granduncle.

Lisa D. Bigenwalt, 18, pleaded guilty in district court to aiding and abetting voluntary manslaughter. She had earlier been charged with first-degree murder, attempted kidnapping and aggravated robbery in connection with the death of Donald L. Hatchell, 49.

The slaying took place at the residence Hatchell shared with the Bigenwalt family north of Lawrence, officials said. His body was found June 11 partially buried beneath a bridge in southwestern Douglas County.

The aiding and abetting charge carries the same penalty as a voluntary manslaughter charge, said Douglas County Dist. Atty. Jerry Harper. Miss Bigenwalt faces a maximum 20-year prison term. Sentencing has been set for October. 28

Miss Bigenwalt’s alleged companion in the killing, William J. McTaggart, 15, was earlier judged delinquent by Douglas County Juvenile Court and has been placed in the Kansas Youth Center.

McTaggart was expected to be the prime witness against Miss Bigenwalt during her expected trial. During the investigation, he told authorities she killed Hatchell.
But he changed that statement during a preliminary hearing on her case earlier this month and said he killed Hatchell and that Miss Bigenwalt had not role in the death.

Harper said this morning that McTaggart’s change of sotry was a factor in his decision to accept a plea on the lesser charge. Because the youth has already been found to be delinquent, authorities said, not further action can be taken against him.
the ple-bargain arrangement was offered by Miss Bigenwalt’s attorneys and “we felt it reflected what we would be able to prove in court… We’re satisfied this is the proper disposition,” Harper said.

Before District Judge James W. Paddock accepted the plea this morning, he asked defense attorneys to describe how the killing took place.

Defense Attorney Mike Riling said “Lisa has told us many times…she and Will J. (McTaggart) planned to hit this victim on the head with a hammer and tie him up so he could not prevent them from going together to Texas.” The Killing came without planning, Riling said, and the fatal shot was fired by McTaggart.

“Is this what happened?” Paddock asked Miss Bigenwalt.
“Yes,” she said.

As part of the presentence investigation, Paddock ordered that Miss Bigenwalt undergo evaluation at the Bert Nash Mental Health Center.