Condolence: Bill was our colleague at Mid-Prairie (we were JH teachers) and we had so much respect for him. He was professional, consistent, hard-working, positive, and always had a smile! He did so much to get our HS back on track after several changes in administration! Also, our daughters (Tiffany and Lacey) went to the same babysitter (Mim Plecker) as Will and Michael. Fun times! We didn't know Bill was battling cancer these past five years... We so wish we would have known and had been able to touch base with him... We are so sorry for your loss, Will and Michael, and siblings. You know, we don't get to choose the families we are born into -- but the Lord surely blessed you with such a terrific dad and brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, as well as, Bill's special friend who no doubt did a lot to help him through these last five years. Love, Becky and Gary Curtis

Condolence: So sad to hear that Willie lost his courageous fight with cancer. It was probably the only battle he lost, and he deserves this final peace. Willie was my brother's dearest friend and became a treasured member of the Norton family. We could always count on his presence at every family gathering, whether happy or sad. We are among the many that will truly miss his remarkable spirit.

Condolence: I was saddened to learn of the passing of a long time friend and coaching partner. I was Bill's Football assistant and he was my Basketball assistant for three years at Baxter High School. We learned a lot coaching together in our early years of coaching. Lots of great moments shared back then. It was always a treat when he would stop in Baxter to visit his Baxter friends and relive some of those great times.

Condolence: So sorry to hear of the passing of Bill. He was an a good boss and he was always there to talk to anyone that wanted to chat. He was active in the activities in the school and cared about what was best for the school. His family was very important to him and talked about them frequently.

Condolence: Bill was a good teammate on our Simpson baseball team 45 years ago. I had heard his name many times from his achievements at Oakland, and then enjoyed our times together at Simpson. JIM HICKS Simpson '70

Condolence: Sweet William you are finally at peace! Your smile will be missed by so many. But you are now a guardian angel watching over so many! Thoughts and prayers to those you have left behind.

Condolence: Cindy, Tim and I are so sorry for your loss.

Condolence: Bill was one of my favorite teachers at Baxter High School. How he could make American History interesting is beyond me, but he always had a way with making the story exciting and his classes were interesting. Will never forget him coming back to visit at class reunions....he truly was a very caring person and will be missed.

Condolence: We have known Bill many years, starting back when he was an assistant principal at Iowa Valley of Marengo and then superintendent at Williamsburg. Our greatest enjoyment of Bill was at the Iowa Girl's State Track meet each May. We would contact each other right before the meet and whoever would get to Drake first saved the seats. We always looked forward to "3 days in the sun together". He was such a wonderful human being, very fair, always putting other people's concerns before his. He will be missed. Our prayers and deepest sympathy to his family.

Condolence: I have known Bill since 1992 professionally and wanted to express my sadness with his passing. He was such a great guy and so nice to talk to whenever I saw him in our dental office. He was so positive and always stayed that way even after being diagnosed with cancer. He never complained and had a wonderful attitude about life.I enjoyed knowing Bill and will also miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. Peg Wooldrik RDH from Maxwell Dental in Iowa City.

Condolence: Our deepest sympathy to the Thompson family. We were students of Baxter High School. We have such fond memories of "Coach Thompson" and look back at all his influences in our lives with nothing but respect! May God bless and keep you in peace as you mourn his loss. Coach Thompson will always have a special place in our hearts!

Condolence: I am saddened by Willie's passing. My sincere condolences to all of the family. Rest in peace, Willie.

Condolence: My wife, Margie, and I were so sad to learn of Bill's passing. We both attended Simpson College in the 70's. I was a teammate on Simpson's Redman Football Team with Bill. He was a great teammate and friend. Our son-in-law, Ben Grier, was hired by Bill to teach P.E. in Williamsburg. He will be remembered as a fair administrator who loved being around the youth of his town.

Condolence: We are so sad to learn of Bill's death. My father was Bob Murphy, former principal at Williamsburg Community High School. Although he and Bill didn't work together, they formed a very strong friendship that meant the world to my Dad. When Bill came to my Dad's visitation in 2008, I told him I thought Dad felt he was the "son he never had". My kids loved him as an administrator, as he always treated all students with friendliness and respect. I also remember how much my Dad enjoyed Bill's mom's potato salad! He was a very fine man who will be fondly remembered by many.

Condolence: To Bill's Sons, I remember you both from hearing about you from your Mom (we both worked at Mercy CR and Mercy IC). I also know from seeing you with your Dad when you were younger I know Bill adored his boys. Time, distance and stuff happen but I know that your Dad was a skilled educator/leader and hard worker but most of all a man who loved his family. A good legacy. Take care - grief is a rough road. Mary C. McCarthy

Condolence: Though I've only seen Bill a handful of times since high school, he is a man I could never forget. While he was a star in multiple sports in high school, it never went to his head. He was friendly to all. He must also have had a left hand made of steel. A junior when I was a freshman, he taught me how to be a catcher on the baseball team. The mitt we used was old, with absolutely no padding in the pocket. He used that mitt all through high school with no apparent ill effects (or at least he hid them better than I could). My left hand was so swollen and sore that I could barely put the mitt on, and I was only catching for the Midget team (basically JV). When Bill graduated, I asked coach Harris for a new mitt, and he just laughed and said "Bill didn't need one, why do you?" It appears that Bill continued to "tough it out" for the rest of his too short life. I haven't seen him for years, but I miss him.

Condolence: Bill and I had lunch at least once a month when he was at Williamsburg. Occasionally he would slip into the back of the church that I served during worship. It was the best of times and the worst of times for Bill and we talked a great deal, not about school or church, but about life in general, our families and how things don't always go according to "our" plans. I loved his sense of humor, his passion and his insights. As often happens in life, we lost touch with each other over the years. The last time I saw him was at the Williamsburg-Danville super-sectional tournament game in Danville. He hugged me like a long lost friend and we caught up on what was happening in each other's life. I was sad to learn of his death and wish for his family as well as those dear to him a blessing of many happy memories.

Condolence: I first met Bill, when he came to Williamsburg to be superintendent of schools. I worked with him many hours at school, always dedicated to his job and the people he was associated with. He was always fair, honest and always concerned for other people. Bill was a true friend to me and always had time to talk and be there when I needed something. I couldn't ask for a better friend. He was my shadow. I'm sure going to miss your laugh and smile. With deepest sympathy, John Lower

Condolence: I have many fond memories of I man I called "wild Bill." He and I shared a respect for each other that I will never forget. We worked together on projects for school and we liked to give one another a hard time, only in fun! I will remember him as a man with a positive out look no matter what. He has taught me many lessons. He was a fighter and talked so fondly of all his family and friends. May Gods Peace be with all of you? I will have happy thoughts about him forever,and feel honored to have known him. Peace to you all . Roseann

Condolence: I , of course, knew Bill because of his athletic prowess ib high school. But since he was five years older than me I figured he didn't have a clue who I was. But the summer after my senior year I think he was coaching baseball and would come to the pool to uae the phone from time to time. He said he knew was going to Simpson in the fall and was sure I'd like it. I would run into him occasionally over the years and he akways remembered me and called me by name. He must have been an incredible teacher. So very sorry for your loss. Kathy Brandes.

Condolence: Not many high school kids would have much to do with a junior high kid, but Bill did. I'll never forget how much fun it was to have him throw me up in the air in the Oakland pool, over and over again. I felt like I was flying. 50 years have passed since then and I still remember this fondly. Condolences to the family. He will be missed.

Condolence: It is with great sadness that I send this message. Willie was a brother to myself and also to Mike. What a great relationship they had and for so many years. He will be forever in my memories as a great person with high values and will be greatly missed. My sincerest condolences.