William I. Cushing, Jr.

CUSHING, BOYNTON, BOYD, FARNSWORTH, SCHNOEBELEN, NEWARK, MICHAELS, HOLMES

Posted By: Tara (email)
Date: 5/20/2009 at 11:35:50

William I. Cushing, Jr., 85, of Iowa City and Tucson, AZ died Friday, May 1, 2009 at University Medical Center, Tucson, AZ.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10am, Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City with Rev. Judy Gingerich officiating. The family will greet friends Tuesday from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at the funeral home. Following the service a Tee off Reception will be held at the Elks Club, where Bill was a life member. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the University Medical Foundation, c/o William Cushing Memorial, 5 West SICU, 655 East River Rd, Tucson, AZ 75704 or to the William I. Cushing Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 167 Iowa City, IA 52244.

On January 14, 2010 a Celebration of Life will be held at the 49er Golf and Country Club in Tucson.

Bill was born January 14, 1924 in Ames, Iowa, the son of William Ira Cushing Sr.. and Clara (Boynton) Cushing. He was a 1942 graduate of Ames High School. They later divorced. Following service in the Army Air Corps during World War II, he returned to Ames and in 1950 Bill received his bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry from Iowa State University. Following graduation, he was hired by Protein Blenders in Iowa City where he became a Vice President. He moved to Riverside, Iowa after purchasing English River Concentrates, a feed manufacturing company from which he retired. In 1947 he married Ardith Irene Boyd. They later divorced. On July 24, 1987 he married his wife, Sheila, in Iowa City.

Bill served as mayor of Riverside in 1963.

Bill was a very poised and dignified gentleman. Not always the most talkative, but when he spoke his words and thoughts were meaningful. Bill was comfortable in his own skin. He loved to golf, and was known for his smooth golf swing and competitive spirit. He spent many hours at his workbench perfecting his wood working skills by making mementos for his family and friends. His friendships were many, both in Iowa City and Tucson, a warm place that he loved to call home.

The family extends their appreciation to the caregivers at UMC, Tucson.

Survivors include his wife, Sheila. Two daughters, Barb (Dick) Farnsworth and their children, Jason and Krista of Iowa City and Nancy (Douglas) Schnoebelen and their children, Alicia, Katie, Anna, John and Paul of Iowa City; his nephew, Bill Newark and his wife, Shelley Michaels of Philadelphia; his mother-in-law, Ethel Holmes of Santa Maria, California, and his former spouse, Ardith.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Frank Newark; and his niece, Patricia Newark.

Online condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com