William Anders Kimber

Bill Kimber passed peacefully surrounded by his family on October 21, 2022.  A visitation will be held Thursday, October 27, 2022 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home - McCalley Chapel in Adel, from 4:00P.M. to 7:00P.M. A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held Friday, October 28, 2022 at 10:00A.M. at the Adel United Methodist Church.

William Anders Kimber was born September 1, 1935 to Wayne and Lillian Kimber in St. Paul, Nebraska. He grew up loving sports, math, fishing and hunting. He used to bring his gun to school so he could hunt at lunch with his three friends, who were also named Bill. His first job was selling popcorn outside the movie theater at age 12.

Bill graduated from high school in 1953 in Albert City, IA.  He went to Wayne State College, where he was an all-conference player and team captain on the football team. He studied to become a teacher, like his beloved Uncle Earl.

Bill met and fell in love with Karen White. They married on August 10, 1956, the only date available between sports starting and ending.

Bill started teaching and coaching, moving through Iowa with stints in Lone Tree, Correctionville and Willow. He taught math and coached football, track and girls basketball. He once taught a student about angles in geometry by using his math brain to figure out where the spitballs were coming from.

After attaining his masters degree in education, Bill moved his family to Adel in 1969. He was a teacher, athletic director and junior high principal. In 1984 he received the Governor’s Volunteer Award.  He started the cannonball booms that still ring out for every ADM football touchdown. (He may or may not have gotten permission the first time).

Between sports and school, he loved spending the summer free-time traveling the country and navigating the roads with a camper.

Bill retired from Adel-Desoto Minburn in 1995. After a year of retirement, he stepped in to assist as principal for a year at Adel Elementary.

After retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling, fishing and volunteering in his community. He was active in the Alumni Association and was a founding member of the selection committee for the ADM Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also a self-proclaimed handyman, with varying degrees of success. One of his favorite tools was athletic tape.

Bill helped host a men’s breakfast at the Adel United Methodist Church and his biscuits and gravy were considered legendary. The secret was more butter than a heart patient should really use. It became a requested dish at many school and other functions.

Bill lost Karen after 54 years of marriage in 2010.

In 2011, Bill agreed to go dancing at the Lake Robbins Ballroom and found new love.  He married Mary Harvey on September, 11, 2011.  Mary brought new adventure to his life. He traveled more, visiting Ireland in 2011 and sailing on cruises through the Panama Canal, among other destinations.

He and Mary started wintering at the Tip of Texas in Pharr, TX, where they made many friends. He enjoyed summer activities, including wearing shorts year-round and playing shuffleboard, which kept his math brain sharp.

Bill enjoyed nothing more than being surrounded by family and friends. He enjoyed feeding people, and making sure they lined up properly (a skill he perfected working with middle schoolers).

Bill is survived by his wife, Mary. His children with Karen; Michele (Randy) Hook, John (Jo) Kimber and Julie (Thomas) Cackler.  The children he was blessed with in his marriage to Mary; Larry Eldridge, Linda Bond, Terri (Rick) Lightly, Debbie Gay, Marie (Ted) Hansen, Monica (Kyle) Blake, Dan (Lynnette) Harvey, Dave (Dori) Harvey and Nancy (Chris) Miller. He was blessed with 26 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Bud (Sandra) Kimber, along with many beloved nieces, nephews and extended family.

Bill was a proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous with 44 years of sobriety. He was also honored to sponsor others, including many former students, on their journey to sobriety.

Bill was an active member of Adel Masonic Lodge and Adel Rotary

The family would like to add, that in honor of Bill, you can feel free to wear shorts and/or your favorite Tiger gear to his service. In lieu of flowers, memorials maybe directed to the ADM Scholarship Fund, the ADM Athletic Boosters or directed to the family for future designation. Online condolences may be left at www.caldwellparrish.com