William Merritt "Bill" Andrus, 85, passed from this life on Saturday, December 25, 2010 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at Iles Funeral Homes - Westover Chapel in Des Moines. Burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.
Bill was born on June 23, 1925 in Des Moines, Iowa to Walter and Emma (Tholl) Andrus and was a life-long resident of Des Moines. From 1943, he was a navy veteran of World War II, serving until Bill was honorably discharged in 1946. He married Betty Marie Gardner on August 14, 1948 at Central Christian Church in Des Moines. He was a member of First Christian Church, and the Masonic Lodge - Acanthus #632. Bill was formerly employed with Continental Western Insurance Company for 36 years.
After retiring in 1982, Bill ventured to a local stained glass store to learn the craft. While the majority of his work consisted of hanging and table lamps, he also utilized scraps from previous projects to create smaller pieces such as parrots, butterflies, and baby buggies. His lamp shades have been on display every summer at the Iowa State Fair for the past 20 years. His intricate works of art have been auctioned off at both the Woodcarver's Auction as well as at the annual Corndog Kickoff Benefit Auction. Bill had a special love for the Fair and had vivid memories attending as a child. In 85 years, he had only missed five Fairs.
He is survived by one brother, Walter (Ruth) Andrus of Seguin, TX; and a host of nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded into eternal life by his parents; the love of his life, his wife of 61 years, Betty M. Andrus on September 1, 2009; and one brother, Robert Andrus in 2010.
Visitation will be held after 2 p.m. on Monday, January 3, at the funeral home, where the family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m.
The family has respectfully requested that any memorial contributions be made to either: the First Christian Church or a favorite charity of the donor's choice.
(From the Des Moines Register - 1/1/11)
Bill was born on June 23, 1925 in Des Moines, Iowa to Walter and Emma (Tholl) Andrus and was a life-long resident of Des Moines. From 1943, he was a navy veteran of World War II, serving until Bill was honorably discharged in 1946. He married Betty Marie Gardner on August 14, 1948 at Central Christian Church in Des Moines. He was a member of First Christian Church, and the Masonic Lodge - Acanthus #632. Bill was formerly employed with Continental Western Insurance Company for 36 years.
After retiring in 1982, Bill ventured to a local stained glass store to learn the craft. While the majority of his work consisted of hanging and table lamps, he also utilized scraps from previous projects to create smaller pieces such as parrots, butterflies, and baby buggies. His lamp shades have been on display every summer at the Iowa State Fair for the past 20 years. His intricate works of art have been auctioned off at both the Woodcarver's Auction as well as at the annual Corndog Kickoff Benefit Auction. Bill had a special love for the Fair and had vivid memories attending as a child. In 85 years, he had only missed five Fairs.
He is survived by one brother, Walter (Ruth) Andrus of Seguin, TX; and a host of nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded into eternal life by his parents; the love of his life, his wife of 61 years, Betty M. Andrus on September 1, 2009; and one brother, Robert Andrus in 2010.
Visitation will be held after 2 p.m. on Monday, January 3, at the funeral home, where the family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m.
The family has respectfully requested that any memorial contributions be made to either: the First Christian Church or a favorite charity of the donor's choice.
(From the Des Moines Register - 1/1/11)
William Merritt "Bill" Andrus, 85, passed from this life on Saturday, December 25, 2010 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at Iles Funeral Homes - Westover Chapel in Des Moines. Burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.
Bill was born on June 23, 1925 in Des Moines, Iowa to Walter and Emma (Tholl) Andrus and was a life-long resident of Des Moines. From 1943, he was a navy veteran of World War II, serving until Bill was honorably discharged in 1946. He married Betty Marie Gardner on August 14, 1948 at Central Christian Church in Des Moines. He was a member of First Christian Church, and the Masonic Lodge - Acanthus #632. Bill was formerly employed with Continental Western Insurance Company for 36 years.
After retiring in 1982, Bill ventured to a local stained glass store to learn the craft. While the majority of his work consisted of hanging and table lamps, he also utilized scraps from previous projects to create smaller pieces such as parrots, butterflies, and baby buggies. His lamp shades have been on display every summer at the Iowa State Fair for the past 20 years. His intricate works of art have been auctioned off at both the Woodcarver's Auction as well as at the annual Corndog Kickoff Benefit Auction. Bill had a special love for the Fair and had vivid memories attending as a child. In 85 years, he had only missed five Fairs.
He is survived by one brother, Walter (Ruth) Andrus of Seguin, TX; and a host of nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded into eternal life by his parents; the love of his life, his wife of 61 years, Betty M. Andrus on September 1, 2009; and one brother, Robert Andrus in 2010.
Visitation will be held after 2 p.m. on Monday, January 3, at the funeral home, where the family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m.
The family has respectfully requested that any memorial contributions be made to either: the First Christian Church or a favorite charity of the donor's choice.
(From the Des Moines Register - 1/1/11)
Bill was born on June 23, 1925 in Des Moines, Iowa to Walter and Emma (Tholl) Andrus and was a life-long resident of Des Moines. From 1943, he was a navy veteran of World War II, serving until Bill was honorably discharged in 1946. He married Betty Marie Gardner on August 14, 1948 at Central Christian Church in Des Moines. He was a member of First Christian Church, and the Masonic Lodge - Acanthus #632. Bill was formerly employed with Continental Western Insurance Company for 36 years.
After retiring in 1982, Bill ventured to a local stained glass store to learn the craft. While the majority of his work consisted of hanging and table lamps, he also utilized scraps from previous projects to create smaller pieces such as parrots, butterflies, and baby buggies. His lamp shades have been on display every summer at the Iowa State Fair for the past 20 years. His intricate works of art have been auctioned off at both the Woodcarver's Auction as well as at the annual Corndog Kickoff Benefit Auction. Bill had a special love for the Fair and had vivid memories attending as a child. In 85 years, he had only missed five Fairs.
He is survived by one brother, Walter (Ruth) Andrus of Seguin, TX; and a host of nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded into eternal life by his parents; the love of his life, his wife of 61 years, Betty M. Andrus on September 1, 2009; and one brother, Robert Andrus in 2010.
Visitation will be held after 2 p.m. on Monday, January 3, at the funeral home, where the family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m.
The family has respectfully requested that any memorial contributions be made to either: the First Christian Church or a favorite charity of the donor's choice.
(From the Des Moines Register - 1/1/11)
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