William 'Willy' Weber

WILLIAM "WILLY" ALBERT WEBER

Mechanicsville

William "Willy" Albert Weber passed away peacefully surrounded by his many beloved family members and friends on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, in Mechanicsville, at the age of 81.

Willy was born at home on Aug. 14, 1934, in Le Mars, Iowa, to Emma Engel Dircks and Henry "Hank" Carl Weber. The family lived in Plymouth County, Iowa, until mid-1940, when Hank got a job working for a farmer in Hudson, S.D. Willy spent the remainder of his childhood there attending country schools until the age of 14 when he was required to work full time to help support his family. At an early age, the Weber children learned to work hard and take care of each other. In 1952, Willy and brothers Merle and Luverne worked for a construction company placing sewer pipes in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The company contracted with the town of Mechanicsville to put in the main water and sewer lines. This would bring running water for the first time to the area. It was a temporary job that was to last three months. That was over 60 years ago. Eventually, the boys built the Weber Brothers Construction business which placed water pipes in many communities in eastern Iowa. In 1954, Willy, Luverne and Merle moved their mother to Mechanicsville along with younger siblings Mert, Sherry, Jeanie and Denny. When Donnie and Babe came home from service, they joined the family as well. El and Walt Wendel brought Harold a couple years later to complete the entire Weber family to the town. Willy married Elizabeth Keith in 1955. Six children were added to their family, Debbie, Billy, Penny, Deanna, Teresa and Dennis. Willy and Betsy divorced in 1972.

Willy worked hard and played hard. Never an adult, child or dog walked into his home without receiving kind words and a favorite treat. Over his lifetime, he served the people of this community with his generous nature, quick-witted silly humor and helping hands. These qualities earned him the respect, honor and love of the people around him.

Willy is survived by special friend Betty Miller and her family of Mechanicsville; two sons, William (Vickie) Weber of Harrisburg, Ore., and Dennis Weber of Mechanicsville; four daughters, Deb Vanter of Mechanicsville, Penny (Steve) Lackey of South Jordan, Utah, Deanna (Jaime) Martinez of Mojave, Calif., and Teresa Weber of Lancaster, Calif.; one brother, Harold (Janice) of Anamosa; one sister, Sherry (Lynn) Hanks of Mechanicsville; 25 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Willy was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Luverne, Merle, Donald, Kenneth "Babe" and Dennis Weber; and four sisters, LaVonne Weber, Elvera "Aunty El" Wendel, Marlene "Mert" Scott and Carol "Jeanie" Lovell.

A funeral is scheduled at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the First United Methodist Church, Mechanicsville, with burial at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mechanicsville. Following the services, a reception will be held at Mechanicsville Memorial Building. All are welcome to attend to celebrate Willy's life.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Mercy, Peggy Beck, Sherry Hanks, Sandra Warren, Harold Weber and Angie Brown for their special care, dedication and service.

Please share your support and memories with Willy's family on his tribute wall at www.

stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.