William Bainbridge
William Bainbridge
William “Wigg” Bainbridge, 90, of Oskaloosa, died Thursday, September 1, 2011, at the Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born August 25, 1921, at Mt. Ayr, Iowa, the son of Mahlon and Theresa Grubb Bainbridge. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1939; he was discharged from active duty in 1945. He continued to serve his country though the National Guard and the Reserves, retiring with the rank of Captain after 20 plus years. On May 7, 1950, he was united in marriage to Lois Denburger at the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa. Early on Wigg worked at the Tastee Shop in Oskaloosa. Later, he went to work at the Milky Way Dairy in Oskaloosa; while employed there one of his tasks was making the ice cream, which led to his favorite job of testing the finished product. In 1959, Wigg and Lois purchased the dairy and changed the name to Wigg’s Milky Way where the cow jumps over the moon. Wigg invested his entire working life into his store, his ambition to always keep his store current and accommodating is displayed in the many changes, made though out the years. Although the offerings of the store have evolved throughout the years, Wigg’s commitment to hometown friendly service never waivered. He continued to tend the store daily until two years ago. Wigg enjoyed the many friends he made while running the store. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa, the Oskaloosa American Legion, V.F.W. and the Elks. Wigg delighted in being with his family and was very proud of his children and grandchildren.
His family includes his wife of over 61 years, Lois Bainbridge of Oskaloosa; his children: Jill (& David) Law of Marion, Bill (& Carrie) Bainbridge of New Sharon, and Sue Roberts of Ankeny; six grandchildren: Stephanie Law, William Law, Emily Roberts, Katie Roberts, Jenny Roberts, and Leland Bainbridge.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Emma and Mary Bainbridge; and five brothers: Walter, Art, Harold, Chuck, and Bob Bainbridge.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 7, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. in the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Michael Omundson officiating. Military rites will be given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion, V.F.W. and D.A.V. in the parking lot at Wigg’s Country Store in Oskaloosa following the funeral ceremony. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. As was Wigg’s request, his body will be cremated following the funeral ceremony and military rites. Visitation will begin Tuesday morning after 10 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 to greet friends and relatives. In lieu of flowers, it was Wigg’s wish that memorials be made to the Salvation Army or Harry L. Anderson American Legion Post # 34.
