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Rexroat, William E (1898-2007)

REXROAT, WILSON, KENT, HUDSON, JOHNSON, MILLER

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 6/16/2008 at 12:43:53

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City July 12, 2007

William E. Rexroat, 108, Webster City
He touched three centuries and witnessed many changes in the world. The progress through farming, industry, science and many other areas of development were part of his life. He saw the ups and downs of our nation and enjoyed his freedom to travel, farm and be a part of many people's lives.

William E. Rexroat died Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at the Southfield Wellness Community at the age of 108. They knew him as Rex or Bill and many enjoyed his presence. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church, with Rev. Bill Kem officiating. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Foster Funeral and Cremation Center from 5-8 p.m. Friday and prior to the service on Saturday.

William Estill Rexroat, son of Green and Mary Wilson Rexroat, was born August 17, 1898 at Russell Springs, Kentucky. He received his education in rural schools in Russell County. In 1915, he moved from Kentucky to Rantoul, IL, then to Iowa (Hamilton County) in 1919. He worked as a farm hand. He rented farmland near Homer. On June 20, 1926, he married Floy Amelia Kent at Webster City. The couple farmed southwest of Webster City. He also fed cattle and hogs for many years. They retired in January of 1962 and moved to Webster City in 1965. They wintered in Texas for 29 years. Mrs. Rexroat died October 7, 1993. He had resided at Southfield Wellness Community since November of 2002. He was the second oldest person in the state of Iowa.

Bill is survived by daughters, Maralyn Hudson of Cedar Rapids; Elaine Johnson of Grand Island, New York; son and daughter-in-law, William and Carol Rexroat of Cedar Rapids; 11 grandchildren; 6 step-grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 7 step-great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; sister, Delphia Miller of Tiffin, Ohio; several nieces and nephews. He was the oldest in a family of ten.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by 4 brothers; 4 sisters; sons-in-law, Leland Hudson and Richard Johnson.

Bill was a staunch Republican and a longtime member of the Noon Kiwanis Club, a member of the Acacia Masonic Lodge #176 A.F. & A.M. for over 50 years, Blue Lodge, Knights Templar, Za-Ga-Zig Shriners (York Rite) of Des Moines, past Worthy Patron of Sharon Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, Triune Commandary, He was currently a faithful member of the First Baptist Church and for many years was a member of the Church of Christ, both in Webster City.

He loved people and had many friends in both Webster City and Texas. He was an avid fisherman, spending many weeks a year in northern Minnesota and Canada. He also enjoyed pitching horseshoes, bowling, singing, ginseng hunting and caring for his yard and flowers. From 1923 to 1947, he was county horseshoe champion. At the State Fair in 1925, he set a world record of 39 ringers out of 44 pitches. He also was a member of the Mount Zion Quartet for several years.

New friendships were developed when he moved to Southfield. He enjoyed being able to drive his car but gave it up early in 2003. He had a deep faith in God, an unusual spirit of optimism and a fantastic memory of years past. Whether you knew him as Bill, Rex or Mr. Rexroat, he was an experience to know.


 

Hamilton Obituaries maintained by Lynn McCleary.
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