Conley, William Joseph

William Joseph Conley, 83, a staunch Irish, Catholic, Democrat, died Thursday, March 24, 2011, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha, Iowa. Visitation: 2 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 27, at Cedar Memorial. Funeral: 10 a.m. Monday, March 28, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 2310 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. David Beckman and Deacon Phil Saunders. Reception will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, 220 40th St. NE, Cedar Rapids, following graveside services.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established by the family.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Joyce Thayer Maxey Conley, as well as the family he waited 43 years to have: Bruce Thayer, Sue Thayer, Bryan and Marcia Thayer, Amara Thayer, Edith Kadlec, Erick Kadlec, Elizabeth and Bruce Ray, Jane Maxey, Jenny and Eric Schumacher, Dan and Jen Thayer, Peter and Michael Thayer, Jeanna and Johanna Kadlec, Colin and Ian Ray; Autumn, Caleb, Kalli, Christopher, Chloe, and Sophia Thayer; Josiah, Micah, Elijah and Ella Schumacher.

Bill is survived by brother, Jim and Peg Conley; nephew, James and Carla Conley; niece, Kathy and Dan West and family, as well as steadfast friends, Paul Howland, Claudia Dennelle, Massachusetts State Senator Tom Kennedy, Eric and Jean Mote, Carolyn McMann, Dorothy Carroll and Phil Saunders.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, George and Ann Conley; his first wife, Alice Conley; beloved cousin, Clem McCann; and sea mate, Bill Shields.

Bill was born Nov. 22, 1927, in Brockton, Mass., graduated from Brockton High School, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, attended Mass. School of Art, joined the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) and Mass. Department of Fish and Wildlife, and, in later years was employed by the Brockton Water Department. WHOI was Bill's great joy as it took him to sea. He served on the Brockton Housing Commission as labor business manager for 16 years and thoroughly enjoyed working on political campaigns at all levels, including the Dukakis presidential campaign.

Bill and Joyce were high school sweethearts who reunited after the deaths of their spouses. The depth of Bill's love for Joyce awed her children. He gave up an ocean to marry the love of his life in Iowa. Gov. Mike Dukakis announced their engagement in the Boston, Mass., State House. They were married Jan. 3, 1988, at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, now Christ Church, in Cedar Rapids and had their marriage blessed at St. Colman's Catholic Church in Brockton, Mass. When Bill married Joyce, he gave each of the children a “Dad in Training” certificate but he needed no training to be a loving Grampa.

Bill was a member of St Joseph's Catholic Church in Marion and for the past 10 years, a member of St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Bill served 18 years as volunteer for Green Square Meals and assisted Joyce in many outreach collections and weekly visits to care centers. He had a passion for the sea and years slipped away whenever he was at the helm of a ship. He was an animal lover of dogs, cats, birds and snakes. Bill was an avid reader with a fire for history. He was a multitalented artist as demonstrated by his scrimshaw, paintings, photography and woodcarving, and including copyrighted inventions. His Irish soda bread and Ba Ha Ba (Bar Harbor) chowder were savored treats. Bill was an avid gardener and could transform a plot of land into a lush garden.

He was a gifted writer of letters and a stickler for use of proper English which started at George S. Paine Junior High with English teacher Angie Glidden whom he remembered for telling her students, “go to the dictionary!”

In Bill's last illness, he and his family were supported by the Veterans Affairs Medical Clinic in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.

The family expresses their appreciation to the VA and to Walter Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas, for their outstanding medical expertise and compassion. The family is deeply grateful to the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy for the tender loving care given by the entire staff to Bill and to his family.

Bill is greatly missed by his family and friends as he was a gentle, loving and encouraging man, full of good humor. Bill was a great hugger. He had a deep love for God and family and a joy for little children.

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