William Francis Ewers, 87, of Keokuk, Iowa passed away at 10am on December 2, 2022, surrounded for days by his family.
Bill was born August 21, 1935, the son of William and Thelma (Bowers) Ewers. He married Virginia Mae (Hendricks) “Ginger” on June 24, 1961 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Keokuk. The two had been together for 66 years and were rarely seen apart. She survives.
Bill is also survived by daughters Lori (Phil) Orth of Omaha, NE, Teri Carman of Peoria, IL and Debi (Tom) Boeck of Keokuk, IA; son Bill (Diane) Ewers of Peoria, IL; grandchildren are Blake (Cindy) McNew, Brant McNew, Alli Orth, Rob Carman, Ryan (Kaitlyn) Carman, Amberose Carman, Andria Carman, Luke Boeck, Brian (Raegan) Boeck, Jacob Boeck, Adam Boeck, Will Ewers, Taylor Ewers, Madi Ewers, Cody Ewers and two great grandchildren Norah McNew and Pierce Carman and several nieces and nephews; brother-in-law Jim (Jane) Watson and one very special puppy, Maggie.
He is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty and Leo McNally and Marilyn and Bob Roan; sister-in-law Pati Huff; nephews David and Steve McNally, Frank Sartory; granddaughter Virginia Ewers and son-in-law Bill Carman.
At Keokuk Senior High School, he earned the nickname, “The Sweetheart of Keokuk”, as he led his basketball team to a state championship.
Bill decided to join the Military and was a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. He later became a member of the Keokuk Fire Department and for many years as well, worked with his cousin Ralph Hechler at Tri-State Welding.
A lifelong resident of Keokuk, Bill knew no stranger and was a friend to everybody, often waving to them all, even if he couldn’t recall their name and quietly mumbled a name instead. In his late fifties he started a new career in real estate. You could see his name all over town with Cramer Realty signs posted in many yards. He eventually co-owned Cramer Realty and finally retired in his mid-seventies.
Bill was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a devoted member of All Saints Catholic Parish in Keokuk.
While the kids were growing up Bill spent countless hours dedicated to their activities at both St. Vincent’s and Cardinal Stritch High School, which included Booster Clubs and Scouts. Bill was a simple family man and vacations were few as he and Ginger preferred quality time in their own back yard, with the entire family engaged in various games. In his later years he and Grandma kept just as busy with all the grandkid’s activities as well.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff for the excellent care he received at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, IA. As much as he will be missed, we are comforted to know he will be welcomed by all his friends and family in heaven!
Visitation will be on December 17, 2022 from 9-11am at Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk with a funeral mass following at 11am at Church of All Saints. A luncheon will follow at the Knights of Columbus Hall.
A private burial will be at a later date at the Keokuk National Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be made to Keokuk Catholic Schools or Church of All Saints.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com.
