Terry, William O. 'Bill'

William O. “Bill” Terry, 75, longtime resident of Iowa City, died Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013, at Mercy Hospice in Iowa City, from complications of lung cancer. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City, with the Rev. Dr. Samuel Massey officiating. Inurnment will take place at the church's columbarium. Following services will be a time of fellowship and refreshments at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Bill's memory to the First Presbyterian Church or Big Brothers Big Sisters Program.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web at .

William Oliver Terry was born Jan. 4, 1938, in Moline, Ill., the son of Oliver and Alice (Appel) Terry. He moved to Iowa City in 1954 and graduated from City High with the class of 1957. He then attended the University of Iowa. He was united in marriage to Judith Ann Hill, they had been together 51 years. For over 20 years, Bill was an independent painting contractor and for over 34 years he and his wife, Judy owned and operated Hawkeye Property Management.

Bill believed in giving back to the community, thus his involvement in numerous organizations, his church and area schools over the years. He was a member of the Optimist Club in Iowa City that started the “Uncle Program,” which led to the Iowa City Chapter of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization, which Bill continued to support all his life. For over 10 years, he was active in the Iowa City Girls Softball League, as a coach, umpire and board member. In 1981, he was a board members of the Iowa City Broadband Telecommunications Commission, which brought cable TV to this area. He was one of the founding members of the City High School Alumni Association, served 10 years on the Johnson County Planning and Zoning Commission, was elected to four terms on the Johnson County Extension Council and served on the board of the Judicial Magistrate Appointing Committee. He was a Johnson County Master Gardener and would have received a 20-year pin in 2014.

Bill was very active in his church membership at both St. Andrew Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City, was an elder and a deacon and sang in the choirs. Bill was a member of the Iowa City Noon Lions Club, and at his death it was important to him to donate his corneas as the Lion's Clubs of America work to improve the vision of people in our country and abroad.

His family includes his wife, Judy; three daughters, Ann Terry (David Luckey) of Denver, Colo., Saira Vitosh (David) Steen of Iowa City and Rebecca (Roy) Hudson of Austin, Texas; six grandchildren, Brady Vitosh, Kathryn Vitosh, Sullivan Steen, Cooper Hudson, Lauren Hudson and Julia Hudson; and three sisters, Delores Vance of Rochelle, Ill., Mabel Terry of Muscatine and Kathy Kopp of Pocahontas, Ill.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; granddaughter, Olivia Ann Hudson; son-in-law, Steve Vitosh; sisters, Marge Terry and Mary Kennedy; and brother, Edwin Terry.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Bill's family and his services.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 10, 2013.