Pitts, William J. (1928-2007)
PITTS, LINNEMANN, SMITH, RENCH, LESTER, KENNEDY, WESTPHAL, ALLDREDGE, MCDERMOTT
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 3/25/2010 at 14:41:38
William J. Pitts - Nov. 11, 1928 - July 13, 2007
William “Bill” Pitts, age 78, of Rembrandt, Iowa, died on Friday, July 13, 2007, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
William John Pitts, the son of Alvin and Mary (Linnemann) Pitts, was born near Meriden, Iowa, on November 11, 1928. Bill’s youth was spent in the Maryhill community, near Cherokee. He moved with his family to Alta in 1941. Bill graduated with the Highview High School Class of 1947. He continued his education at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake where he received his teaching degree. Bill later attained his Masters Degree from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. He dutifully served his country in the United States Army from 1946 to 1947, prior to the Korean Conflict.
Bill was united in marriage to Dorothy Mae Smith on April 18, 1949, in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at Sioux Rapids, Iowa. This couple was blessed with seven children: Pat, Mel, Mark, Dixie, Bill, Kenny and Scott. During his lifetime, Bill balanced his life between two careers, education and farming. Bill taught and was a guidance counselor in various school districts throughout northwest Iowa and Arkansas for over 40 years. South Clay, Clay Central, Marathon, and Palmer were some of the schools where Bill touched students’ lives. Farming was a lifelong passion of Bill’s, and in 1968, he and his family moved to Rembrandt where they purchased their farm and have made their home. Bill was also a Drivers Education instructor and not only taught high school students but he also taught the “55 Alive” driving course for senior citizens in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Bill and Dorothy moved to Bella Vista in 1986 where they have resided since with the exception of the summer months that they spent in Rembrandt. He was committed to the youth and was involved with the Future Farmers of America. He also had served on the Sioux Rapids and Rembrandt school boards.
Bill was a man of varied interest and some of his pastimes included woodworking, cutting wood for his neighbors and friends in Arkansas, playing cards, working puzzles and keeping in touch with people over the telephone. He will be remembered as a person who truly enjoyed socializing with his family and many friends. Bill was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sioux Rapids and St. Bernard Catholic Church in Bella Vista. He was a 4th Degree Knight/Knights of Columbus and had shared his musical talents by singing in the church choirs.
Bill’s life will be remembered and the gift of memories he has given will be cherished by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy, of Bella Vista, Arkansas; his children: Pat and Danny Rench of Lytton, Iowa; Mel and Marian Pitts of Rembrandt, Iowa; Mark and Nancy Pitts of Hamburg, Iowa; Dixie and Darrell Lester of Rembrandt, Iowa; Bill and Suzy Pitts of Astoria, Oregon; Kenny Pitts of Rembrandt, Iowa; and Scott and Shannon Pitts of Bentonville, Arkansas; 20 beloved grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; his brother, Jim and Edith Pitts of Spencer, Iowa; three sisters: Shirley Kennedy of Denison, Iowa; Rosemary Westphal of Aurelia, Iowa; and Marlys Alldredge of Cherokee, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two grandchildren: Elizabeth and Joshua Lester; and one sister, Imelda McDermott.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 16, 2007, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, with Father Al Reicks officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Military graveside services will be presented by Graeber-Rowe American Legion Post #394. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will be 3-7:00 p.m., Sunday, July 15, 2007, at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids where the family will be present the entire time. There will be a rosary at 7:00 p.m.
Copyright © 2007, Sliefert Funeral Homes
Sliefert Funeral Homes
Buena Vista Obituaries maintained by LaVern Velau.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen