Letter: Community hero will be missed

I was saddened to read that Bill Bills passed away suddenly at the age of 52.

I think few people know how much he helped those affected by the Flood of 2008. Although Bills Bros. Furniture lost millions in inventory to the flood, he was eager to help flood survivors in many ways. He discounted furniture items and had a donation box in the store. When Flood Them with Love was overwhelmed with requests for new beds, he helped organize a massive giveaway. He ordered beds, at his cost, from an out-of-town manufacturer. He arranged for their delivery on a Sunday afternoon to the parking lot of Bills Bros. Furniture where he, his wife Debbie and many dedicated employees helped load over 100 beds into pickup trucks and onto the roofs of cars. When we needed dressers, he once again stepped up and ordered 100 dressers at his cost.

I extend my sincere sympathy to his family, friends and co-workers. Bills was a community hero and will be missed.

Karla Goettel

Cedar Rapids