Pella, IA - William Robert Wiegand was born March 4, 1936, to John H. and Madeline (Hasler) Wiegand, in Nameoki, Illinois. He was a 1954 graduate of Mitchell High School. He attended Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, graduating with a B.S. He earned his MBA from the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. Later in life Bill received his theology degree from Hales Corners, Wisconsin.

On June 9, 1956, he was united in marriage to Ruth Jones in Mitchell, Illinois. William enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1956 and was honorably discharged in 1961. Bill and Ruth called multiple states home as they advanced his career and raised a family. The family settled in Pella, Iowa which became home until his passing.

While living in Pella, William worked in Inventory Control for Rolscreen now Pella Corp. He was intricate in starting SHARE IOWA, Oskaloosa, Iowa. When Ruth needed more care, Bill became her dedicated caregiver.

Bill loved sports! He could state stats of a variety of players and teams. He coached several of his kids' sports teams as they grew up. Bill was a devoted St. Louis Cardinals fan and watched every game he could. He enjoyed a good game of golf or bowling and could be very competitive.

William was proud to be ordained into the priesthood in 2005. Fr. Bill had parishes in Davenport and Burlington. When he decided to retire, he moved to Pella and would preach at St. Mary's or surrounding parishes when needed.

Fr. Bill's greatest joys were his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was proud to have married Cathy and John and Leroy and Natasha. He also baptized grandchildren Logan and Lauren. "Holy Papa" was often the partner in crime when playing with the grandkids and great grand kids. He never met a naughty child but found great joy in their antics even if the parents did not.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children: Cathryn and John Segur of Rogers, Arkansas, Karen and Wayne Van Walbeek of Monroe, Iowa, and Leroy and Natasha Wiegand of Plymouth, Indiana, five grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Constance Clark and Ruth's sister Violet Clifton, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth Wiegand, his parents John and Madeline Wiegand, grandson Joseph Van Walbeek, parents-in-law Leslie and Emily Jones, sister-in-law Loretta Worthen and her husband John, and brother-in-law Robert Clifton.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, March 11, at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pella. A wake will begin at 4:00 pm, Friday, March 10, at the Garden Chapel Funeral Home, with a rosary at 7:00 pm. Memorials may be given to St. Mary's Catholic Church. The Garden Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.