Willis Kenneth Neal (2009)

NEAL, BLOHM, COOK, JOHANNESEN, MCCLINTON, SHEARER, SONNEN, WELLS, SHEPHERD, BEAMAN, BARNETT, ATHERTON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber (email)
Date: 1/11/2020 at 08:35:48

Kuhn Funeral Homes
Dexter, Iowa

Willis (Bill) Kenneth Neal, 88, passed away at his home on Wednesday, June 3, 2009. Bill was born March 14, 1921 in Dexter, Iowa, the third child of Kenneth and Ruby (Blohm) Neal. He graduated from Dexter High School in 1938, and served in the Army Air Corps from October 1942 to November 1945. He was a First Lieutenant and Aircraft Commander in C-47 aircraft, flying combat missions over “The Hump” (Himalayas) in the India-Burma-China Theater. These missions resulted in 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 4 Air Medals, and 3 Battle Stars. Lieutenant Neal returned to the Dexter area following his honorable discharge.

On December 27, 1942, Bill married Helen Cook, and to this union were born two daughters, Judith Kay and Carol Jane. Bill & Helen farmed in the Dexter area for 40 years before retiring and moving to town in 1989. Bill was a dairy, grain, and hog farmer. Always a jokester, he was a self-taught carpenter, electrician, plumber, welder, mechanic and all around ‘handy-man’. A typical Iowa farmer, he could fi anything. Bill faithfully attended the Dexter Presbyterian Church his entire life where he served as elder and deacon and performed many maintenance tasks at the church throughout the years. He was also a member of the American Legion, and had served as Director of the Dexter Apartments and on the board of Congregate meals. He and Helen delivered meals for over 25 years.

Bill is survived by his wife of 66 years, Helen Aileen Cook Neal; daughters Judy (Bob) Johannesen of Argyle, TX and Jane (Tom) McClinton of Storm Lake, IA. He is also survived by five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Grandchildren include Sean (Angie) McClinton of Mankato, MN, Shannon (Brian) Shearer of Castle Rock, CO, Shane (Michaelyn) McClinton of West Des Moines, IA, Trace Johannesen of Dallas, TX, and Kristen (Jarrett) Sonnen of Virginia Beach, VA. Great grandchildren are Dylan and Kellan Shearer, Evan and Alec McClinton, Brody McClinton, and Avery Sonnen. Other survivors are sisters Betty Wells, Nadine Shepherd, Marian Beaman, and sister-in-law Doris Neal; sister/brothers-in-law Dr. Wayne and Florence Cook, and Velma and Joe Barnett. He was preceded in death by his parents; Helen’s parents, Leah and Walter Cook; brothers Warren and Scotty Neal; brothers-in-law Harvey Beaman, Mervin Wells, John Shepherd, Carroll Cook, Allen Atherton and sister-in-law Marie Atherton.

Burial was made in the Dexter Cemetery.