William 'Bill' Charles Stickney

WILLIAM "BILL" CHARLES STICKNEY

North Liberty

William "Bill" Charles Stickney, 84 of North Liberty, Iowa, completed his cancer journey on Jan. 15, 2022. Bill was the only child of Charles Edward and Myrtle Alena (Sherren) Stickney, born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Nov. 26, 1937. After graduating from McKinley High School in 1956, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served honorably for 6 1/2 years. He was the third-generation owner/operator of the Kozy Inn, Cedar Rapids, invested in real estate and retired from Carousel Motors, Iowa City, Iowa.

Bill was a proud veteran and served as past commander of the North Liberty American Legion Post 1976; member of the Solon American Legion Post 460; 50-year member of El Kahir Shrine; in his youth, member of the Rod Benders Car Club, Cedar Rapids; life-time member of First Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids; and current member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, North Liberty, Iowa.

Bill loved boating, fast cars, fishing, Hawkeye sports, and anything that involved his family. He had a great memory and enjoyed regaling stories, telling jokes and reciting limericks with friends and family. Bill was known for his quick wit, resourcefulness and ability to fix anything. He had a kind heart, was generous and genuinely cared about others as evidenced by his love for his family and lifelong friendships spanning decades.

Left to honor his memory are his beloved wife, Kathleen Ann (Melhus) Stickney of 63 years; and his loving children, Steven William (Lynette) Stickney, Marion, Iowa, Stacy Elizabeth (John) Stickney Ferguson, Minneapolis, Minn., and Jon Charles (Patti) Stickney of Barrington, Ill.; and six grandchildren, Jon "J.C." (Eve Oppenheimer) Stickney, Glenview, Ill., Connor (Jessica) Stickney, Deer Park, Ill., Nathaniel "Nate" Ferguson, St. Louis Park, Minn., Lee Stickney, North Liberty, Iowa, Kelly (Alec) Stickney Feller, Coralville, Iowa, and Paige Ferguson, Minneapolis, Minn.

Bill was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Cyril and Maude Stickney; maternal grandparents, Roy and Leona Sherren; parents, Charles and Myrtle Stickney; and mother-in-law, Leona Melhus.

The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (holytrinitynl.org/give), North Liberty, Iowa, the Shriners Hospitals for Children (shrinerschildred.org/giving) or a charitable organization of your choice.

A visitation will be held at the Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel, 1221 First Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, on Friday, Jan. 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, Jan. 22, at 1 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, with the Rev. Katie Lowe Lancaster and the Rev. Timothy Smith officiating. The family and the church ask that all guests please wear a mask and social distancing will be encouraged. The service will be livestreamed at firstlutherancr.org/resources/livestream.

The family would like to thank Dhivya Prabhaker, MD, the entire oncology staff at the UIHC Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and Iowa City Hospice.