Byington, William M.

William M. Byington, 89, died Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013, at the University of Mississippi Hospitals in Jackson, Miss., following a brief illness. Memorial Services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Oaknoll Retirement Residence. The Rev. Kyle Otterbein will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in Oakland Cemetery. Arrangements are with Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Camp Courageous or the charity of your choice.

Bill was born Nov. 23, 1924, in Des Moines, the son of William O. and Mary Moss Byington. He was a graduate of University High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree and pharmacy degree from the University of Iowa. Bill served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and retired from the Navy Reserves as a commander. On April 28, 1948, Bill married Helen Beneke in Iowa City.

From 1952 to 1974, Bill was the pharmacist at Whetstone Pharmacy in downtown Iowa City. He later was a pharmacist at many area pharmacies and Miller Medicine Cabinet in Kalona.

Bill was a charter member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, member of the Iowa and Johnson County Pharmacists Association, Reserve Officers Association, Elks Lodge, Johnson County Historical Society and a charter member of the Noon Optimists Club. Bill was community-minded and volunteered at the Herbert Hoover Library, Mercy Hospital and was a past board member of the Chamber of Commerce and VNA. He was a member of the Antique Doorknob Collectors Association.

Bill is survived by his wife, Helen; their three daughters, Lee Ann Muller of Walker Valley, N.Y., Karly (Randy) Beavers of Des Moines and Mary Lynn Byington of Honolulu; and two granddaughters, Bethany Beavers of San Diego and Maggie (Brad) Pitcher of Eugene, Ore.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.

Published Jan. 4, 2014 in The Gazette