William Benedict Jaques

William Benedict Jaques, 78, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on January 15th, 2025 with his beloved wife, Darlene, by his side. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory (8201 Hickman Road, Urbandale, Iowa 50322) with a time of sharing beginning at 6:00 p.m. and a rosary to follow at 6:30 p.m. A Latin Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at St. Augustin's Catholic Church (545 42nd St, Des Moines, Iowa 50312). Interment will follow at Glendale Cemetery (4909 University Ave, Des Moines, Iowa 50311). Luncheon to follow interment at St. Augustin Parish hall. 

Will was born on April 2nd, 1946, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the eldest of eight children born to William G Jaques and Geraldine Eldridge Jaques. Will lived a life defined by hard work, faith, entrepreneurial spirit, and a love that left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him.

He attended St. Teresa’s catholic school and graduated from Dowling High School in 1964. He spent a formative year in Catholic seminary, reflecting his deep-rooted love for God. A lifelong learner, he studied geology and engineering at both Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. 

He began working in the grouting industry in 1962 and was part of an extended family active in the grouting field. One of his immediate ancestors invented the mud-jack. Will began his grouting career at W.G. Jaques Company applying grout in dams, foundations, and tunnels. In 1979 Will saw the need for a new grouting material supplier and with others started Avanti International where he was CEO until 1986. In 1987 he started Strata-Tech, Inc. and has been a leading supplier of packers, pumps, and grouting tools ever since. He was a founding Director and past Secretary of NASSCO, the National Association of Sewer Service Companies. His drive, ingenuity, and vision shaped not only his companies but also the lives of those who worked alongside him. With a curious mind and a penchant for solving “unsolvable” problems, he was world-renowned within the geotechnical industry for his inventions which he crafted for a client’s unique needs. 

Will cherished his family above all else. He was the proud father of five children, three from his first marriage to Celia (Swan) Jaques, and two from his second marriage to the love of his life, Darlene Lawrence Brister. 

He is preceded in death by his parents William G Jaques and Geraldine Eldridge Jaques, and his brothers Mike Jaques and Jeffrey Jaques. He is survived by his wife Darlene (Lawrence) Brister, by his children Melissa Jaques Wiggins, William E. (Dolores) Jaques, Daren (Becky) Jaques, Lumea (Robert) Jaques Howard, and Remington Jaques; siblings Steve Jaques, Timothy Jaques, Robert Jaques, Josie Jaques Steuart, and Betsy (Mark) Jaques, by his grandchildren Taylor, William Quentin, Darian, Wynter, Savannah, Dallas, Haley, David, Benedict, Ignatius, Genevieve, Augustine, and Dominic, and by countless cherished in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

By his colleagues and coworkers, he will be remembered for his dedication, his creative problem solving, and his strong but gentle leadership.

By his children, he will be remembered for his gentle heart, his love of children’s movies, and his quiet strength.

By his grandchildren, he will be remembered for his ever-present pocket knife, for always having a Band-aid handy, and for always having a snack in the car “just in case.”

By his wife, he will be remembered for his yellow roses, his perfect hugs, his laughing eyes, and his boundless love. 

By everyone, he will be remembered for his ability to make every person he spoke to feel special and heard. He had an ability to find beauty and potential in everything - from business opportunities to the people around him. 

He has a child’s heart.

Memorial Contributions can be made to: The Nazareth Sisters (https://www.nazarethsisters.com), Dowling Catholic High School (https://www.dowlingcatholic.org/give/ways-to-give), or St. Augustin Catholic School (https://www.staugustinschool.org/about/donate) or a charity of your choice in memory of William Jaques.