William Nance

William Nance

December 21, 1925 – November 23, 2011

Oskaloosa, Iowa

Visitation: Will begin at 10 a.m., Friday morning, November 25, 2011 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will be present from 5-7 p.m. to greet visitors
Funeral Service: 10 a.m., Saturday morning, November 26, 2011 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel with Pastor Lois Williams officiating.
Interment: Forest Cemtery with Military Honors by the American Legion, the V.F.W. and the D.A.V.

Bill passed away at him home in Oskaloosa on Wednesday morning at the age of 85 years, 11 months and 2 days.

William Henry Nance was born December 21, 1925 in Oskaloosa to William LeRoy and Mabel Rosetta Sheffer Nance. He attended Oskaloosa High School and left the 11th grade early to enlist in the Army. He was awarded an honorary diploma in 2001 from Oskaloosa High School. Bill served as a Communications Technician with the 397th Infantry Regiment with 100th Infantry Division. It was his job to keep the telephone working, including stringing lines. Bill was part of the push into Rhineland to defeat the Germans and his company remained in Germany after the war to help with stabilization of the country. After his return from the service, Bill went to work at Upton-Colville Hardware, where he operated the Skelly Tire shop for 15 years. He then spent six years with Firestone Corporation as a Service Manager. Later he worked at Oskaloosa Engineering assembling gear boxes. His last employment was with Mahaska County where he served as the first jail administrator. Bill retired after seven years of service in 1988.

Bill married Mary Selvy, January 7, 1951, in Dean, Iowa and to this union four children were born. Mary passed away September 7, 1982. Bill was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. where he was a past commander. He was a founding member of the Police Athletic League, which was instrumental in developing VanderWilt Ball Park. Bill was a member of the Iowa Archeological Society and he enjoyed rock collecting and looking for Native American Artifacts. Bill’s great joy in life was time spent with family. Early on, he served as a Boy Scout Master when his son was in scouting and continued for many years beyond with ceremonies at Lake Keomah and Lake Wapello. Later many vacations were spent with his children and grandchildren and he enjoyed many day trips with his sister traveling the state. A favorite family time was spent fishing and camping in “God’s country”. Bill loved people and his life mission was to never turn anyone away.

Bill’s family includes his three daughters: Debbie (Emory) Van Engelenhoven of Oskaloosa; Donna Nance of Anderson, MO; and Billie Nance of Oskaloosa; a son, Danny (Mary) Nance of Oskaloosa; and a grandson he raised as a son, Nicholas Nance; eight grandchildren: Troy, Brent & Matthew Bowen; Angie Rockhold, Hanna Harvey, Shannon Nance, Ryan Hochart and Hollie Van Wyk; 28 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and many other children. In addition to his parents and his wife, Bill was preceded in death by two sisters, Opal Hoover and Genevie Davis, and two brothers, James and Vernie Nance.

Memorials may be made to Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter.

Source: GVL Funeral Chapel