EGLI, Willard Paul "Bill"

EGLI, MUSSELMAN, COMPARE, BALLINGER, LETCHER, MCCABE, DENIO, RENNIE

Posted By: Sharon R. Becker (email)
Date: 11/23/2017 at 00:39:20

Obituary ~ Willard Paul "Bill" Egli
June 08, 1922 ~ November 25, 2005

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
October 23, 2010

Willard P. “Bill” Egli 83, 620 Briarstone Drive, Mason City, died Friday, November 25, 2005, at the Muse-Norris-Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, November 30, 2005, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 302-5th Street SE, Mason City, with Reverend Jon M. Seda of Holy Family Catholic Church in Mason City officiating. Inurnment will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday with full military honors by members of the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association, in the Columbarium at Memorial Park Cemetery, Hwy 122 West, Mason City. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday with a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 5:00 P.M. and a Scriptural Wake Service at 6:30 P.M. at the Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126-3rd Street NE, Mason City.

Following the funeral mass, a lunch and sharing of memories will the held in the fellowship hall at Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 Adams Ave. North, Mason City.

In lieu of flowers donations may be given to Holy Family Catholic Church or to the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City in his memory.

According to his wishes his body was cremated.

Willard P. “Bill” Egli was born on June 8, 1922, in Manson, Iowa, the son of Edward and Sadie (Musselman) Egli. He was one of 10 children. He attended schools in Gilmore City, Iowa.

In October 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving 4 years and was discharged as a Petty Officer First Class. While in the service he received the following medals, Good Conduct medal, air medal, Asiatic and European campaign medals with 3 stars. He was discharged from Great Lake, Ill in February 1946.

While awaiting discharge he met Virginia Kompare at the Trianon Ballroom and the couple were married on September 18, 1946, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chicago, Illinois. The couple moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa where he was an apprentice in interior decorating at Fort Dodge Paint and Wallpaper Co. under the G.I. Bill.

In 1950, he was promoted to manager and opened a new store for the Standard Glass & Point Co. in Mason City, Iowa. Bill was an active member of the community. He taught furniture refinishing in adult education classes for 20 years.

He became a member of Mason City Rotary Club in 1951, and served as secretary for 14 years. He was a two time Paul Harris fellow of Rotary. He believed that service in Rotary was nothing more than an expression of the desire within a person to do something constructive and useful to be of service to others. He performed every task with an ability and integrity admired by his associates.

He was a great volunteer in his early years and believed all citizens should strive to do their best to benefit their community. He was always willing to share his time to help the other guy. His wife, children, grandchildren and great-granddaughters were his shining stars.

Bill was a scoutmaster for Boy scouts and served in junior Chamber of Commerce, Senior Chamber of Commerce, Knight of Columbus, Mason City VFW, Score and served on various committees at the Holy Family Catholic Church during his early years. He was a 50-year plus member of Rotary and knights of Columbus.

In 1978, the couple moved to Evanston, Illinois where he served on the staff of Rotary International for 9 years until his retirement in October 1987. He handled the eastern states and all of Canada. Four years ago he lost his eyesight to macular degeneration but was determined to stay as active as possible.

He is survived by his wife, Ginny of Mason City; a daughter, Sandra Ballinger of Omaha, Neb., two sons, Harry and wife Selma Egli of Fort McDowell, Arizona, Thomas and wife Laurel Egli of Aloha, Oregon; four grandchildren, Jon Letcher, Omaha, Neb, James and and wife Karla Letcher of Omaha, Neb., Kelsey Egli of Superior, Colorado and Justin Egli of Aloha, Oregon, and two great-granddaughters, Skylar and Jianna Letcher of Omaha, Neb. He is also survived by a sister Ruby McCabe of Fort Dodge, Iowa, brothers, Joseph and wife Veronica Egli of Waverly, Iowa, Dr. Gene and wife Nell Egli of Starksville, Miss, Carvel and wife Marilyn Egli of Fort Dodge and Kenneth Egli of Washington, Iowa.

His parents, two brothers, Lester and Marlon Egli and two sisters, Eleanor DeNio and Opal Rennie, preceded him in death.

Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel: (641) 423-2372 www.colonialchapels.com

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2017