In Lawrence, Gene “Yogi” Williams is best known for the “Fighting Jayhawk,” the fierce-eyed mascot that represented Kansas University during World War II.

But in El Dorado, he also is known as a physician and artist who worked in a variety of media, including wood carving, oils and acrylics.

A collection of Williams’ works is on display through Aug. 25 at the Coutts Memorial Museum of Art in El Dorado, about two hours south on the Kansas Turnpike.

Williams, born in 1923, grew up in El Dorado and was interested in art throughout childhood. Out of high school, he was offered a job at Walt Disney Studios, according to a biography provided by the museum.

But his parents thought he was too young for that, so he enrolled at KU in 1941. As a freshman, he drew his version of the Jayhawk, which was used for five years and later was put on T-shirts to raise money for victims of the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

Williams served in the Army from 1942 to 1946 and later completed his art degree and medical degree at KU. He also was art director for the Jayhawker yearbook.

He had an ear, nose and throat practice in Phoenix before returning to El Dorado in 1970.

He continued his art throughout his life, which ended in a hot air balloon accident in 1979.

The Coutts Museum is open 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and noon-4 p.m. Saturday. It’s located at 110 N. Main in El Dorado.