William Charters

WILLIAM CHARTERS

Cedar Rapids

William "Bill" A.

Charters, 80, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, of heart failure. Services: 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, where a visitation will begin at noon. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, following the service. The Rev. Emory Gillespie will officiate.

Survivors include his children, Mary Beth Charters-Hawker of Cedar Rapids, Chris Anne (Chris) Frantz of Chaska, Minn., and Steve (April) Charters of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Ryan McGannon, Colby Hawker, Alexandra Hawker, Baylor Frantz, Lily Frantz, Logan Charters, Liam Charters and Leighton Charters; and great-grandson, Noah Loehr.

Also surviving are friends, Joan Charters of Cedar Rapids and Rick Hawker of Solon; brother-in-law, Dick Carrothers of Bellevue, Idaho; sister-in-law, Sandi Carrothers of Oak Harbor, Wash.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

William was born April 14, 1933, in Sycamore, Ill., the son of John and Frances (Allen) Charters. He grew up in Ashton, Ill., where he enjoyed sports and music and built many lifelong friendships. He attended Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, a place he loved and was a member of the Beta Omicron (The Owls) fraternity, graduating with great memories and strong friendships. Bill settled in Cedar Rapids and married Joan (Carrothers) on Oct. 24, 1959. They later divorced but remained friends.

William was a graphic arts designer for Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids. He was a member of Westminster for 54 years, serving as a deacon and elder and also served on the Cedar Rapids Kernels board of directors for several years.

Bill's children and grandchildren were the joys of his life. The second joy in his life was the Chicago Cubs and the Iowa Hawkeyes. He was a die-hard fan of both and a long time season holder of Hawk tickets. When he was 12 years old he was able to see the Cubs play in the World Series, unfortunately they didn't win but what a thrill!

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and Hospice at St. Luke's for their wonderful care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Horizons Meals on Wheels, the Cedar Valley Humane Society, or the charity of your choice.

After the burial, you are welcome to join the family at The Sip 'n Stir, one of Bill's favorite haunts.