KIME, William R.: 1895-1973

KIME, HARRIS, CERNEY

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 5/31/2014 at 16:26:04

The Fairfield Ledger
Monday, Dec. 3, 1973

Veteran's President -
William Kime Dies

RICHLAND - Death came unexpectedly for William R. Kime, 78, at the Jefferson County Hospital on Saturday morning where he was admitted Friday evening.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. at the Richland United Methodist Church with the Rev. Richard Layman officiating. Interment will be in the Highland Cemetery in Richland. The Gould Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Kime was one of Richland's most prominent citizens. He was elected president of the national organization of Veterans of World War I at Detroit on Sept. 25, 1963 when 9,988 national delegates made his selection as national commander by unanimous vote.

His service career started in World War I when he was a member of Battery D, 339th Field Artillery, serving overseas.

He was a charter member of the veterans of World War I and served as Iowa state commander.

A member of the United Methodist Church and of the church board he was very active in Republican politics, county and statewide.

He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star and a 60-year member of the American Legion. He was a charter member of the Richland American Legion Post and its first commander. he was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Kime was a past president of the Lake Darling Youth Center, a president of the Iowa Fruit Growers Association, the Iowa Horticulture Society and a charter member of the Richland Lions, member of the Commercial Club, Volunteer Fire Department and Richland Town Council.

After returning home from World War I, he operated a general store in Richland and Linby. He was a realtor while living in Mason city from 1943 when he returned to Richland. While in Mason City he was very active in the Boy Scout movement in Cerro Gordo County.

Kime owned and operated the Kime Orchards in Richland for 25 years before selling the business several years ago.

W.R. Kime was born Sept. 13, 1895 in Richland, the son of Edgar Kime and Mary Harris Kime. He was married to Eva Cerney of Mason City on June 1, 1923. He is survived by his widow, two nephews and one niece and several cousins. He was preceded in death by a brother and sister.

(Transcribed for genealogy purposes only.)