William E. MCGRATH

MCGRATH, BURT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/7/2008 at 20:16:12

June 24, 2008
William E. "Bill" McGrath

West Des Moines-- Bill McGrath, 78, passed away Friday, June 20, 2008 at Kavanagh House on Grand after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held 10:30 am Wednesday at West Des Moines United Methodist Church with burial at
Resthaven Cemetery.

Bill was born in Clarion, Iowa to Margaret and Earl McGrath. He was a graduate of Clarion High School and the University of Iowa. Bill served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict, and then moved to the Des Moines area where he has lived since 1955. He worked for American Mutual Life for 32 years, retiring in 1993 as Senior Vice-President of Marketing. Bill sat on the Board of Director's of American Mutual Life, was a member of West Des Moines United Methodist Church and was a long-time member of Des Moines Golf and Country Club. He was a fisherman, golfer, and avid Hawkeye fan.

Bill is survived by his wife, Beverly; two sons, Michael (Lori) McGrath of West Des Moines and their children, Lindsay, Callie, Will and Maggie, and Chad McGrath of Clive and his children, Zack and Sarah and a sister, Jean Burt of Rowan, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 P.M. Tuesday at McLaren's Chapel. Memorial contributions may be given to WDM United Methodist Church or Hospice of Central Iowa. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Tom Buroker, Michelle and Pat for the care given to Bill.