William 'Bill' Parson

WILLIAM "BILL" PARSON

Marengo

William "Bill" Parson, 73, died Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, at UnityPoint-St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Funeral services: 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18, First United Methodist Church, Marengo, with the Rev. Lisa Crow officiating. Burial: Koszta Cemetery, rural Marengo. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. A memorial fund has been established.

William "Wild Bill" Parson was born April 5, 1943, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He attended school at Iowa Valley High School. He was united into marriage to Patricia VanDee on Aug. 10, 1963, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Victor. In Bill's early years, he worked at Amana Farms and prepared graves for the Amana Society. He also worked at Wilson Foods/Farmstead, all while raising livestock and farming full-time. Bill enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially bear hunting. He also enjoyed BBQs with family and friends, Rolle Bolle, gardening, tractor pulls at Koszta, parties at the river bottom, and we cannot forget those slots at Meskwaki! Most of all, Bill enjoyed spending time with his girls and their families.

Bill is survived by his children, Sheila (Tim) Kelly of Parnell, Brenda (Mark) Duffy of Belle Plaine, Vickie (Dennis) Traut of Marengo, Lisa (Bill) Schmuecker of Blairstown, Diane (Will) Smith of Marengo and Christine (Tony) Snook of Marengo; grandchildren Jeff Parson, Sarah Duffy, Jamie Duffy, Ryan Duffy, Tyler Kelly, Levi Snook, Rachel Kelly, Emily Smith, Anna Smith, Taylor Snook, Elizabeth Smith and Cole Snook; great-grandchildren, Liam, Cedar, Greyson, Willow and Orion; sisters, Betty Graesser and Mary Conway; many lifelong friends; and a dear and loving friend, Janice Hinkel.

He was preceded into death by his wife, Patricia Parson; brother, Sam Parson; sister, Rose Blount; and parents, Wes and Elizabeth Parson.

"It's not only about who you are while you are here, it's who you leave behind."

Online condolences: www.klosterfuneralhome.com.