William Pope

WILLIAM POPE

Cedar Rapids

William Pope, 94, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, at Mercy Medical Center after a short illness.

Bill was born July 21, 1921, in Chicago, the elder of two children of Jesse and Irene Pope. He attended the University of Illinois Dental School in 1941 and served in the U.S. Army Dental Corps during World War II. He was stationed in Egypt and Germany, but also spent time in India and France. He married the love of his life, Edith Ann Brough, on Sept. 13, 1945.

His first job after the war was teaching crown and bridge at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry. He then had a thriving dental practice in Chicago for 25 years. In 1975, Bill and Edith moved to Galena, Ill., where he established another dental practice which he called "Tooth Acres." Bill built their home in Galena and his clinic himself. They worked side-by-side in their rural dental practice, surrounded by gardens and hummingbirds.

Bill retired from dentistry, sold his practice and built another home in Galena. He was always ambitious. Bill and Edith moved to Cedar Rapids in 2000 to be near their son, Richard, and his family.

Bill and Edith were active members of Jehovah's Witnesses in Galena and joined the McCloud Springs Congregation when they moved to Cedar Rapids.

Bill lost his beloved wife, Edith, in 2013, and dealt with her death by writing his autobiography entitled, "Tooth Acres." He described his early life in Chicago, his military service and his life with Edith.

Surviving are his two sons and a daughter: Dr. Robert Pope (Margie) of Mosinee, Wis., children, Sarah (John) Forbes, great-grandson, Wesley, and Kathryn (Michael Shaw) Pope; Dr. Richard Pope (Barbara Christie-Pope) of Cedar Rapids, children, Lillian Pope, Helen Pope and Elle Pope; and Jeannie Peabody of Peacham, Vt., and children, Beth (Tony) Rodriquez, Laura Jackson and Robert Jackson.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Edith; sister, Jeanne; and son-in-law, Mark Peabody.

The family would like to thank the McCloud Springs Congregation for their many kindnesses toward Bill and Edith. We also thank the staff and residents of Prairie Hills for making his last two years comfortable and enjoyable. In addition, thank you to the ICU and 5th floor staff of Mercy Medical Center for the care and kindness they showed toward Bill and our family during the final weeks of his life.

As per Bill's instructions, services will be held in McKeesport, Pa., where he and Edith will be laid to rest together.