"We love Bill and will hold him in our hearts. He always showed us such kindness. He was truly interested in our lives. We are blessed to have known such a great man! We are sorry we could not attend visitation due to previous exposure, but you were all on our minds and in our heart. Love to all! Jim and Julie Richter"
In loving memory of
William J. "Bill" Meyers
November 16, 1935 - September 2, 2020
Private Family Funeral Services for William "Bill" Meyers will be celebrated on Monday, September 14, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Algona with Reverend Cynthia Finn presiding. Burial will be in the Corwith Cemetery with military honors. The funeral service will be live streamed on the First United Methodist Church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AlgonaFirstUnitedMethodistChurch
A public visitation will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2020, from 2-5 p.m. with a Masonic Service at 5 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Algona. MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED.
William Joe "Bill" Meyers was born November 16, 1935, to Clifford "Pat" and Rose H. (Krause) Meyers at the farm one mile south of Corwith, Iowa.
He attended the Corwith School in Corwith and graduated with the talented Class of 1953 from the Corwith High School. During his school years, he enjoyed playing sports and was a catcher on the 1951 baseball team that was State Runner-Up at the State Summer Baseball Tournament.
He enlisted in the United States Army in January 1954. He took his basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, then took 16 weeks signal training at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. He then was assigned to Fort Niagara, New York, at Youngstown, New York. He was assigned to the Operations Center of a "Nike" missile complex around Niagara Falls. During his military service he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Bill and Audrey Ann Leerar were married at the Stilson Evangelical United Brethren Church on August 26, 1955, in Stilson, Iowa. On completion of his three year enlistment in the U. S. Army, he and Audrey returned to Corwith to start his farming career. They moved to the farm 1.5 miles north of Corwith on Ash Ave. This is where they raised their family, Jeff, Kim, Craig and Lisa.
For a short period of time, 1968-1969, they moved to a farm owned by Charpel Hauswirth 1.5 miles west of his farm. During this time they moved a large two story home to the farm 1.5 miles north of Corwith. This is where they raised their family. During this time, Bill coached little league baseball and attended the children's school activities.
After the children left home Bill acquired his Real Estate Brokers License and worked in the business for 10+ years. In the 1980's Bill worked as a State Farm Hail Adjuster for several years, he also served on the Hancock County Board of Review for several years.
Bill and Audrey and the family attended the First Baptist Church in Corwith. He served as Trustee and Deacon and Audrey was the organist for several years. When the First Baptist Church closed, they joined the United Methodist Church in Corwith. During that time Bill served on the Parish Board.
After a long and valiant battle with cancer, Audrey passed away on October 23, 2002.
As an added blessing Bill was introduced to Patricia Ann Patterson and on July 2, 2005, they were married at the United Methodist Church in Corwith, where they were members. They then purchased a home in Algona and enjoyed a wonderful life together. Bill continued to farm in the Corwith area until 2015, when he had a farm machinery sale.
Bill died Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at the Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona. He was 84.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Patterson-Meyers; children, Jeff (Julie) Meyers; Kim (Peter) Eggimann; Craig (Roberta) Meyers; Lisa (Reginald) Kelch; two step-children, Chris (Craig) Steinman; Brian (Angie) Hood; 14 grandchildren: Laura (Josh) Deeds; Kelly (Andrew) Johnson; Beth Ann (Kyle) Kappmeyer; Daniel Meyers; Jacob Eggimann; Joe (Lauren) Eggimann; Becky Eggimann; William Eggimann; Meredith (John) Reding; Alyse (Ben) Kern; Aubrie (Cole) Cook; Kaylyn Meyers; Collin (Melissa) Kelch; Carolyn (Ian) Starnes; four step-grandchildren, Cady, Cacy and Cayla Steinman and Axton Hood and 18 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Audrey; sister, Carol Halverson and Edward and Derald Gourley who were like the brothers he never had.
Tributes
"Jeff, Kim, Craig and Lisa, My condolences to each of you at this difficult time. I pray that you and your families will have peace and comfort from God, now and in the days to come. To me, your Dad was one of those bigger than life personalities that everyone couldn\'t help but love. While bigger than life, he also had a humbleness and a way about him that made him relatable to all. He was and will always be a special part of the Corwith community. "
"My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time."
"Bill and Audrey were our Yuma friends for 22 years. After Audrey , Pat became a great friend to us. We really had fun parties. Golf tournaments and special times. Bills generosity was special to us all. Will miss him. God rest your soul Bill. Our Sympathy to Pst and family"
"Bill, you are such a positive part of my childhood memories with your optimism and infectious laughter and twinkle in your eye. Thank you for that. And then we were able to see you at the iowa reunions in AZ in recent years which was special. You have a fantastic family to carry on your legacy. And I hope you and dad, along with others who have passed on have met up again to share jokes and laughter like old times! Heaven was dancing in the streets when you arrived!! "
"Bill, your presence was always bigger than life. You and your family are part of so many of my growing up memories, especially boating on Clear Lake and weekend gatherings. Your infectious belly laugh will always be with me as a reminder of the good fortune we shared. As a child when I heard that laugh, I knew the life of the party and heart of the community was in the house. Carry on, Bill. We will miss you. Beth Gaskill Douglass "
"Saddened by the news of Bill?s passing. Bill was a loyal customer of mine at Gold Eagle in Corwith and has been a golfing buddy for the last few years, I will miss him, especially on the golf course. Prayers to Pat and family during this time. We are out of town this weekend. Marv & Diane Johnson"
"Bill, you were a central figure in our childhoods. How many hundreds of times were you at our place, or we were at yours, or we were at picnics together, or you were going out with our folks to golf or have a meal? And noone could pull off bolo ties like you - I laughed when I saw them in so many of the pictures posted by Lisa and others. You\'re a good man, and you raised a fine family. Travel well. "
"I can still hear my father and Bill greeting each other: Bill says; ?Mullins how goes the struggle?? Dad (Jim Mullins): Meyers, all is well. Bill, your rolling laughter and your infectious grin and smile will remain forever with me. Your Engagement with people was always sincere and endearing. Thank you for all you did for and with me and I wish you, Dad, Audrey and all the others a ?bon voyage?-wherever your new journey begins and wherever you are headed!?"
"Craig & Family, You have my deepest sympathy.
Amie "
"One of the first people that I met when I began delivering mail in Corwith. He gave me directions on my first day. He was so kind."
"Pat, I send you my deepest sympathy. Let me know what I can do for you."