Schipper Jr., William 'Bill'

William “Bill” Schipper Jr., formerly of Delhi, currently of Walker, died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013. Memorial Mass: 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, at St. John's Catholic Church, Delhi, by Father John Kramer. The family will greet friends from noon until service time Sunday at the church. Military honors will be conducted by the Delhi American Legion. Private burial at a later date. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Center Point.

Bill was born March 14, 1934, in Peterson, Iowa, the son of Willem and Elizabeth (Van Duyn) Schipper. William graduated from Peterson High School and served in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. After returning from military service, he moved to Cedar Rapids, taking a position with Collins Radio, where he worked until his retirement. Bill married Rita Marilyn Burke on Feb. 11, 1961, raising a family of four sons. Bill and Rita later divorced. On Sept. 10, 1993, he married Mary Holub and in 1994, they moved to Delhi, where they both enjoyed gardening, tranquillity and the abundant wildlife.

Bill's family includes his wife, Mary Schipper of Delhi; his four sons, Christopher (Richard Goetz) of Farmington, N.M., Jeffrey (Mary Zeran) of Cedar Rapids, Andrew (Sherry Gunderson) and granddaughter Catherine of Rockford, Mich., and Mark (Udomluck Durangsadee) of Cedar Rapids; his stepchildren, Dr. Tom (Marci) Holub of Solon, Terri (Kenny) Jones of Walker and Traci (Steve) Warren of Arvada, Colo.; and brother, Theodore of Marcus, Iowa.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Willem and Elizabeth; brothers, Martinus and Arthur; and sisters, Alberta, Myrtle and Patricia.

Bill enjoyed trout fishing in northeast Iowa, visiting with family, gardening and nature. Bill (or Skip to friends) had a big heart and a warm regard for all. He enjoyed a lifelong sense of humor and was always ready with a handshake and story or a friendly joke.

He will be greatly missed.

Memorials may be directed to Unity Point Hospice in memory of Bill.

Please sign the online guest book for William at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published Dec. 28, 2013 in The Gazette