Bernard Ray (Bill) Bauer was born January 13, 1948 to Joseph A and Dorothy M (Tharp) Bauer.
Bill grew up and spent the majority of his life in Des Moines, IA. He attended Des Moines Technical High School and DMACC. He moved to Iowa Falls in 2016, where he lived until his passing.
Bill was married to the love of his life, Vonnie Sue Jones on February 10, 1968. From their union was born four children, Marsha Renee, Melanie Sue, Bernard Ray (the second) and Tristin Meshell.
Bill was truck driver with over 2.5 million safe driving miles. He drove for Crouse Cartidge Company and Roadway Express, where he pulled doubles and triples through the mountains of Wyoming. He retired from the City of Des Moines, where he served as a truck driver and proudly "rescued" the citizens of the city plowing snow from the streets. He participated in Snow plow rodeos, where he won awards for his ability to maneuver the plow truck with expert precision through a set obstacle course.
Bill had a zest for life and enjoyed many hobbies including building and showing model trains. He won many awards for his extremely detailed replicas of his favorite locomotives.
He enjoyed hunting, target shooting with his brother, Ron, reloading, fishing, camping, family vacations, and always enjoyed taking the "scenic route" no matter the destination.
His favorite activities were those spent with his family. He especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events and spending endless hours watching his grand daughter, Aris Lester ice skating. His kids and grandkids were his most prized accomplishments. He enjoyed sharing his love of photography, music, history, books and an appreciation for the natural world around us.
Bills natural easy going outlook and his ability to laugh through adversity is part of way he was loved by so many. He truly believed that his sole purpose in life was to make others smile and laugh. He was always ready with a joke or funny story no matter what the situation or how bad things got. It was hard to have a bad day around him.
Bill is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sue, daughters, Melanie (Jon) Bursey, Tristin (Mike) Lester and his son Bill 2 (Bridget) Bauer. 13 grandchildren (Alishia, Andrew, Arron, Sydney, Gabriel, Aris, Noah, Connor, Scarlet, Jacob, James, Jessica and Austin) 22 great grand children, his sisters, Kimberly and Mary, brothers, Ronald, Bruce and Roger as well as many many friends he considered family.
He was presided in death by his daughter, Marsha Wittmuss, both of his parents, a sister, Venida Warren and his beloved dog, Dottie.
Bill will be greatly missed by all those who were lucky enough to have known and loved him.
Hamilton's Funeral Home
Bill grew up and spent the majority of his life in Des Moines, IA. He attended Des Moines Technical High School and DMACC. He moved to Iowa Falls in 2016, where he lived until his passing.
Bill was married to the love of his life, Vonnie Sue Jones on February 10, 1968. From their union was born four children, Marsha Renee, Melanie Sue, Bernard Ray (the second) and Tristin Meshell.
Bill was truck driver with over 2.5 million safe driving miles. He drove for Crouse Cartidge Company and Roadway Express, where he pulled doubles and triples through the mountains of Wyoming. He retired from the City of Des Moines, where he served as a truck driver and proudly "rescued" the citizens of the city plowing snow from the streets. He participated in Snow plow rodeos, where he won awards for his ability to maneuver the plow truck with expert precision through a set obstacle course.
Bill had a zest for life and enjoyed many hobbies including building and showing model trains. He won many awards for his extremely detailed replicas of his favorite locomotives.
He enjoyed hunting, target shooting with his brother, Ron, reloading, fishing, camping, family vacations, and always enjoyed taking the "scenic route" no matter the destination.
His favorite activities were those spent with his family. He especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events and spending endless hours watching his grand daughter, Aris Lester ice skating. His kids and grandkids were his most prized accomplishments. He enjoyed sharing his love of photography, music, history, books and an appreciation for the natural world around us.
Bills natural easy going outlook and his ability to laugh through adversity is part of way he was loved by so many. He truly believed that his sole purpose in life was to make others smile and laugh. He was always ready with a joke or funny story no matter what the situation or how bad things got. It was hard to have a bad day around him.
Bill is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sue, daughters, Melanie (Jon) Bursey, Tristin (Mike) Lester and his son Bill 2 (Bridget) Bauer. 13 grandchildren (Alishia, Andrew, Arron, Sydney, Gabriel, Aris, Noah, Connor, Scarlet, Jacob, James, Jessica and Austin) 22 great grand children, his sisters, Kimberly and Mary, brothers, Ronald, Bruce and Roger as well as many many friends he considered family.
He was presided in death by his daughter, Marsha Wittmuss, both of his parents, a sister, Venida Warren and his beloved dog, Dottie.
Bill will be greatly missed by all those who were lucky enough to have known and loved him.
Hamilton's Funeral Home
Bernard Ray (Bill) Bauer was born January 13, 1948 to Joseph A and Dorothy M (Tharp) Bauer.
Bill grew up and spent the majority of his life in Des Moines, IA. He attended Des Moines Technical High School and DMACC. He moved to Iowa Falls in 2016, where he lived until his passing.
Bill was married to the love of his life, Vonnie Sue Jones on February 10, 1968. From their union was born four children, Marsha Renee, Melanie Sue, Bernard Ray (the second) and Tristin Meshell.
Bill was truck driver with over 2.5 million safe driving miles. He drove for Crouse Cartidge Company and Roadway Express, where he pulled doubles and triples through the mountains of Wyoming. He retired from the City of Des Moines, where he served as a truck driver and proudly "rescued" the citizens of the city plowing snow from the streets. He participated in Snow plow rodeos, where he won awards for his ability to maneuver the plow truck with expert precision through a set obstacle course.
Bill had a zest for life and enjoyed many hobbies including building and showing model trains. He won many awards for his extremely detailed replicas of his favorite locomotives.
He enjoyed hunting, target shooting with his brother, Ron, reloading, fishing, camping, family vacations, and always enjoyed taking the "scenic route" no matter the destination.
His favorite activities were those spent with his family. He especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events and spending endless hours watching his grand daughter, Aris Lester ice skating. His kids and grandkids were his most prized accomplishments. He enjoyed sharing his love of photography, music, history, books and an appreciation for the natural world around us.
Bills natural easy going outlook and his ability to laugh through adversity is part of way he was loved by so many. He truly believed that his sole purpose in life was to make others smile and laugh. He was always ready with a joke or funny story no matter what the situation or how bad things got. It was hard to have a bad day around him.
Bill is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sue, daughters, Melanie (Jon) Bursey, Tristin (Mike) Lester and his son Bill 2 (Bridget) Bauer. 13 grandchildren (Alishia, Andrew, Arron, Sydney, Gabriel, Aris, Noah, Connor, Scarlet, Jacob, James, Jessica and Austin) 22 great grand children, his sisters, Kimberly and Mary, brothers, Ronald, Bruce and Roger as well as many many friends he considered family.
He was presided in death by his daughter, Marsha Wittmuss, both of his parents, a sister, Venida Warren and his beloved dog, Dottie.
Bill will be greatly missed by all those who were lucky enough to have known and loved him.
Hamilton's Funeral Home
Bill grew up and spent the majority of his life in Des Moines, IA. He attended Des Moines Technical High School and DMACC. He moved to Iowa Falls in 2016, where he lived until his passing.
Bill was married to the love of his life, Vonnie Sue Jones on February 10, 1968. From their union was born four children, Marsha Renee, Melanie Sue, Bernard Ray (the second) and Tristin Meshell.
Bill was truck driver with over 2.5 million safe driving miles. He drove for Crouse Cartidge Company and Roadway Express, where he pulled doubles and triples through the mountains of Wyoming. He retired from the City of Des Moines, where he served as a truck driver and proudly "rescued" the citizens of the city plowing snow from the streets. He participated in Snow plow rodeos, where he won awards for his ability to maneuver the plow truck with expert precision through a set obstacle course.
Bill had a zest for life and enjoyed many hobbies including building and showing model trains. He won many awards for his extremely detailed replicas of his favorite locomotives.
He enjoyed hunting, target shooting with his brother, Ron, reloading, fishing, camping, family vacations, and always enjoyed taking the "scenic route" no matter the destination.
His favorite activities were those spent with his family. He especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events and spending endless hours watching his grand daughter, Aris Lester ice skating. His kids and grandkids were his most prized accomplishments. He enjoyed sharing his love of photography, music, history, books and an appreciation for the natural world around us.
Bills natural easy going outlook and his ability to laugh through adversity is part of way he was loved by so many. He truly believed that his sole purpose in life was to make others smile and laugh. He was always ready with a joke or funny story no matter what the situation or how bad things got. It was hard to have a bad day around him.
Bill is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sue, daughters, Melanie (Jon) Bursey, Tristin (Mike) Lester and his son Bill 2 (Bridget) Bauer. 13 grandchildren (Alishia, Andrew, Arron, Sydney, Gabriel, Aris, Noah, Connor, Scarlet, Jacob, James, Jessica and Austin) 22 great grand children, his sisters, Kimberly and Mary, brothers, Ronald, Bruce and Roger as well as many many friends he considered family.
He was presided in death by his daughter, Marsha Wittmuss, both of his parents, a sister, Venida Warren and his beloved dog, Dottie.
Bill will be greatly missed by all those who were lucky enough to have known and loved him.
Hamilton's Funeral Home
Family Members
Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
