Armstrong, William J.

William J. Armstrong, 91, of 100 Thompson Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids, died at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, following a long illness. Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Ted Miller officiating. Private inurnment in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the church. Arrangements by Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Survivors include his wife, Mima “Mickey;” daughter, Barbara (Steven) Melsha of Cedar Rapids; two sons, William (Diane) Armstrong of Elm Grove, Wis., and Steven (Ruth) Armstrong of Cedar Rapids; stepdaughter, Susan (Simon) Geletta of West Des Moines; two stepsons, Michael Brunson of Chicago and Joseph (Margit) Brunson of Neu Ulm, Germany; a sister, Miriam (Herald) Smith of Cedar Rapids; six grandchildren; eight stepgrandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Joanne in 1967; a sister, Helen Fox; and stepson, Randy Brunson.

William was born Jan. 18, 1918, in Farley, Iowa, to Charles and Myrtle Cropp Armstrong. He was a graduate of Coe College with degrees in Mathematics and Chemistry. He married Joanne Van Cleve, who died in 1967. He married Mima “Mickey” Brunson on May 19, 1973, in Cedar Rapids. He had an extensive career as an electrical engineer in research and design. He served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and was presented with the Legion of Merit award. He was a member of FirstPresbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the William J. Armstrong memorial fund at First Presbyterian Church, or to the Joanne M. Armstrong Scholarship fund at Coe College.

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