William Charles Berry

William Charles Berry

Cedar Rapids

William (Bill) Charles Berry died unexpectedly but peacefully in his sleep on January 25, 2024, at his home in Guatemala.

Bill was born on February 23, 1951, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from La Salle High School in 1969. He then attended UNI but interrupted his studies to embark on a life-changing adventure to Africa. He studied at the University of Ghana and remained on the continent to travel to other countries. This project changed his perspective of life and he enrolled in the School for International Training in the World Issues Program. As part of this program, he did a community-based project in Guatemala where he met Ana Maria, then a Spanish teacher, who became his wife of 50 years. They met in January 1973 and married at St. Jude Church in Cedar Rapids in December 1973. After college, they settled in Cedar Rapids and raised two children, Monica and Ricardo. Bill worked at Alliant Energy for many years and retired to Guatemala where he and Ana Maria built a house on the side of an inactive volcano.

Bill collected a variety of succulents, his pride and joy, and had a variety of fruit trees with large crops much appreciated by family, friends, and neighbors. He loved nature and led his family on exciting trips where they explored national parks and caves, went white water rafting, climbed volcanoes and pyramids, and wandered jungle trails. He was very interested in cultures and in learning as much as possible about different parts of the world. Bill enjoyed sports and especially loved watching his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes. He was a gentle, kind, and compassionate soul who never met a stranger. Children and dogs were drawn to him.

Bill was dearly loved by his family in the US and Guatemala. He is survived by his wife Ana Maria, his children Monica and Ricardo, his grandchildren Nikola and Odessa, his daughter-in-law Heidi, his son-in-law Tom, his sister Linda, his nieces Sara and Jessica and their families, and his family in Guatemala.

A Memorial Visitation will be held at St. Jude Church on Friday, April 12th from 9-9:45 followed by a funeral mass at ten. A Celebration of Life will be held at Parlor City in Cedar Rapids from 10-1 pm on Saturday, April 13.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to PAWS and More Shelter at 1004 W Madison St, Washington, IA 52353.