William 'Bill' James

WILLIAM "BILL" JAMES

Center Point

William "Bill" Paul James, 85, of Center Point, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. As mandated by proclamation, social distancing must be practiced, which requires a limited number of people to be allowed to attend at one time. The use of face masks or shields is required. A private family service will be held Saturday at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. The service may be livestreamed at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/28987214.

Bill was born May 26, 1935, in Iowa City to the late Paul and Harrietta (Miner) James. He married Lillie Mae Fuller on Jan. 14, 1955, in Marion, Iowa. Bill spent a large portion of his life farming, which was the real passion of his life. He continued this passion even after his retirement from farming in 1985 with lifelong friend Don Hanson. Bill retired from Rockwell Collins in 1990 after 27 years of service. He loved nature and the outdoors, enjoying activities like fishing and camping with his Waterville family as well as time spent on Lake Tetonka. When he wasn't enjoying the outdoors, he liked watching the Green Bay Packers, until they started losing. Bill will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

The family would like to extend a special heartfelt thank you to the third floor staff at Hallmar, where he spent the last 23 months of his life. Their kindness, respect, love and compassion directed toward our father was appreciated in a way words can't describe. Bill considered this place his home, and the staff and patients on third floor affectionately named him "Wild Bill." He was known as a man with an infectious sense of humor. Along with the staff of Hallmar, the family also wants to acknowledge Ruby Vandaver and Erin Hodges for their Friday visits and making holidays special for Bill by decorating his room.

Survivors include his children, Craig (Sheri) James of Marion, Iowa, Brenda Andrews (Brian Weekly) of Center Point, Iowa, Rick (Crystal) James of Walker, Iowa, and Nancy (Daniel) Jones of Walker, Iowa; grandchildren, Brooke, Tyler, Jason, Candice, Jennifer, Stace, Todd and Dustin; 13 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Beverly Busenbark of Marion, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Lillie of 59 years; grandson Zachary; and an infant sister, Patsy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed toward Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.