William E. Downey (1938-2021)

DOWNEY, NYENHUIS, GAIDIES, RANKINS, WEBER, AYERS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/19/2021 at 20:59:27

MUSCATINE–William E. Downey, 83, of Muscatine, passed away on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at Lutheran Living Senior Campus.

The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the family, in care of Lois Downey. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com .

William was born on May 26, 1938, in Muscatine, the son of Edward K. and Naomi A. Nyenhuis Downey. He married Lois A. Gaidies on August 5, 1961, in New Era.

He was a veteran of the United States Army. He served for one year in Korea.

William was a farmer for most of his life. He was a welder by trade and worked for McLaughlin Body Company in Moline and later retired from GPC.

He is survived by his wife, Lois A. Downey of Muscatine; two children, Susy Rankins of Davenport, Florida, and Ed Downey and wife, Sarah, of Fruitland; five grandchildren, Ryan, Jacob, and Grace Downey, Eric Slater, and Kierra Rankins; two siblings, Nancy Weber and husband, Jim, and Clark Downey, and wife, Pat, all of Illinois City, Illinois; sister-in-law, Barbara Downey of Illinois City, Illinois; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his best friend, Walter Schreurs.

William is preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Jerry Downey, Wilson Pat Downey and wife, Janet, Steve Downey, and Chet Downey; and one sister, Nola Ayers and husband, Mike.