James Lester Sillars

James Sillars of Urbandale, Iowa, passed away Sunday, December 12, 2016 after a brief illness.  Jim was born on October 26, 1926, in Early, Iowa. His family ran a farm in Sac City, Iowa for over 100 years. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and served as an engineer in the Pacific Fleet in WW II. After the war, he attended Drake University. A lifelong resident of Iowa, Jim was a certified public accountant who managed finances at several large construction firms including the Weitz Company. He was also the Chief Controller at Drake University. He then ran his own accounting firm in Des Moines. Following his retirement in 1987, Jim pursued his passion for photography and traveling. His work was featured in local galleries. He is survived by his wife, Anna Belle Sillars of Urbandale, Iowa; son, Jay Sillars of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; and daughter, Marie Lakin of Ventura, California. He also has five grandchildren.  He was interred at Glendale Cemetery.