Bode, William Kenneth 'Bill'

William Kenneth “Bill” Bode

Bill Bode died on March 19, 2010, in Little Rock, Ark., as the result of a brain aneurysm. His wife, Sue, was at his side.

A memorial service to celebrate Bill's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City. A reception at The Kirkwood Room will follow the service. The family will greet friends Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Bill was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on April 24, 1943. He graduated from high school in West Orange, N.J. Bill moved to Iowa City at the age of 16 to attend the University of Iowa, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and was a varsity swimmer. He received his MFA in fiction from the Writer's Workshop in 1968. After graduation, he worked as a union laborer, taught high school math and continued writing. His most recent publication was Two Pieces in the Old Style, under the pseudonym G. Bodhi.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Alyce Bode; and his mother-in-law, Doris Voss. He is survived by his wife, Susan; stepson, Joshua (Emily) Voss; father-in-law, Milo Voss, brothers-in-law, David (Jan) Voss, Richard (Nancy) Voss, Charles (Debbie) Voss and Peter (Lynda) Voss; and sister-in-law, Jean Voss.

Bill will be remembered by his friends and family as a man of integrity, generosity and good humor and for his keen mind and many talents.

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