Primrose Sr., William David 'Bill'

William David “Bill” Primrose Sr., 92, former longtime resident of Vinton, passed away Thursday, June 10, 2010, at Willow Gardens Care Center in Marion following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 16, at First Baptist Church in Vinton, with the Rev. William Primrose Jr. and Pastor Lyonel Watkinis officiating. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton. Friends may register at the church from 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday. Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements.

Bill was born Oct. 3, 1917, in a log cabin north of Vinton, Iowa, to Elmer and Louise (Stoller) Primrose. He graduated from Washington High School in 1935. He married his high school sweetheart, Irma Kelso, on June 5, 1938. Four children were born to this union: Judith, William Jr., Robert and Marilyn. Bill and Irma were married for 56 years until her death on March 14, 1994. On April 15, 1995, he married Julia Ary, who survives him.

During his lifetime he owned and operated Bill's Welding Shop, worked at the Vinton Canning Factory and, for 14 years, was employed by the Iowa State Highway Commission. He then became a plumbing and heating contractor and owned and operated his own business for 28 years. Bill always worked hard to care for his family.

He was chosen for “The 9 Who Care Award” in 1992 for all his volunteer work for Virginia Gay Annex. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church and had been an Eagle Scout leader for many years. Bill loved gardening, wood working, oil painting and traveling. For many years he raised rabbits.

Bill is survived by his son, the Rev. William David (Rosalie) Primrose Jr. of Des Moines; his daughter, Marilyn Louise (David) Bickal of Palo; his son-in-law, Raphael Sullivan; his deceased son's special friend, Sharon Binner of Marion; 11 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and first wife, Irma, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Jim, Richard, Don and Robert; his daughter, Judith Sullivan; his son, Robert Primrose; and his grandson, Todd Bickal.

For the past two years he had resided at Willow Gardens Care Center in Marion and his family wishes to thank Dr. Mark Wilkinson, and the caring staff and nurses at the facility and of Hospice of Mercy. You all are so wonderful.

Memorials may be given to Hospice of Mercy.

He was the “Best of the Best” and will be greatly missed.

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