Bill Nath

Hastings Funeral Home in Perry were in charge of arrangements for William Junior Nath, son of William Nath and Louise Elvina Christina Rungee Nath, was born June 1, 1924 at Perry, Iowa and died August 30, 2009 at the Perry Lutheran Home in Perry, Iowa at the age of 85 years, 2 months and 29 days. His funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 4, 2009, at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church in Perry, Iowa. Words of comfort were provided by Pastor Lou Hoger of Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, and Chaplain Dave Morfitt, of the Perry Lutheran Home. His honorary casket bearers were Wilfred Lansman Sr, Beverly Nelsen, Marge and Richard Lansman Sr. The active casket bearers were Richard Lansman Jr., Doug Wood, Tim Wadle, Harvey Grabill, Tim Lansman and Jim Pentico. The pianist was Bertha Mae Van Horn, with Soloist Pastor Lou Hoger singing How Great Thou Art. Wilfred Lansman Sr. sang Storms Never Last. Congregational hymns were The Old Rugged Cross, In The Garden and Rock of Ages. Mr. Robert Peterson of American Legion Post 85 in Perry presented the Flag to Bill's family. Burial was in Violet Hill Cemetery, Perry, Iowa. Bill, as he was lovingly known, grew up on his family's farm north of Perry. He attended country school and then Perry High School, graduating in 1943. Bill entered the U.S. Army March 15, 1944 at Camp Dodge, IA. His specialty was as a Medical Aidman where he saw duty in Rhineland & Central Europe. He was decorated with the Medical Badge, Victory Medal, European, African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 2 Bronze Battle Stars, 2 Overseas Service Bars and Good Conduct Medal. Bill was honorably discharged as a Corporal May 31, 1946 at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois. Bill married Dorothy Phillips on December 31, 1946 at her parents' home. They were parents of two children, Judy and Keith. Bill and Dorothy lived on the farm north of Perry, helping his father and then moved to Perry where he worked for Bennett McDaniel Furniture Store, International Harvester, Ford Garage, Woodward State Hospital School, and finally retired in 1986 from Mercy Hospital. Bill was a member of Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, American Legion Post #85, Perry Chief's Three Quarter Century Club, and was a former member of the Moose Lodge. He enjoyed camping, fishing, playing cards, and visiting. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy on January 30, 2007, granddaughter Jill Bacon, 2 sisters Marjorie Annear and Lola Yanders. He is survived by his daughter Judy Bacon and her husband Gary of Kearney, MO; and son Keith Nath and his wife Essie of Casper, Wyoming; 12 grandchildren: Jodie Taylor; Mark Bacon; Scott Bacon; Krista Larson; Adam Bacon; Lisa Bacon; Eric Bacon; Kimberly Sailor; Melinda Nath; Brian Nath; Kari Collier; and Kyla Nath; 12 great grandchildren: sister Deloris Johnson and husband Robert of Clarion, Iowa; other relatives and many friends. Everyone was invited to a time of lunch and fellowship at the Church following the committal services at the cemetery. Memorial may be left at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry.