William Graf

Services: Tuesday, April 7 10:30 AM Peterseim Funeral Home, Kalona Iowa Visitation: Monday noon - 7:00 PM at BEATTY FUNERAL HOME, WASHINGTON TUESDAY VISITATION AT PETERSEIM FUNERAL HOME FROM 9:00 TILL SERVICE TIME BURIAL: SHARON HILL CEMETERY, KALONA MEMORIAL FUND: Hospice of Washington County or the First Baptist Church. Age 78 Celebrating The Life Of WILLIAM 'BILL' D. GRAF April 16, 1930-April 3, 2009 78 Years 11 Months, 17 days Services 10:30AM Tuesday, April 7. 2009 Peterseim Funeral Home Kalona, Iowa Words of Comfort Pastor Andrew Zuehlke Music Ms. Elizabeth Tinnes Mr. Andrew Zuehlke Casket Bearers- Grandchildren Brian Black Chris Black Justin Black Nick Graf Chris Graf Dean Graf Amanda Olson Shane Graf Kelly Black Honorary Casket Bearers Ben Turner Mark Gloyer Carroll Reighard Gailen Reighard Terry Glandon Gary Hill Mike Leyden Brian Nash Sam McFate Interment Sharon Hill Cemetery Kalona, Iowa Military Rites by American Legion Post #29 Washington, Iowa William Dean Graf was born April 16, 1930 in Washington, the son of Henry and Effie (White) Graf. He grew up and was educated in the Keota community. Bill entered the Army Air Corp in 1946 during WWII occupation. He took his basic training in San Antonio, TX and served in the 1938th Engineering Battalion 10th Air Force. He served 14 months in the South Pacific, Guam, Siapan, Taiwan, Japan and 6 months in the Panama Canal Zone. Bill and Helen Ayers were married March 22, 1950 at the Little Bit of Heaven Chapel, in Davenport, Iowa. He had been a member of the First Baptist Church for 50 years. He was employed by Carson Plumbing & Heating for 3 years, a route man for Hometown Dairy, Supervisor for Sanitary Dairy & Hotle Dairy, Peter Pan Bakery, Jewel Tea. He was a labor and machine operator for J.D. Armstrong for the Coralville Dam project from start of construction until finished. He was the office manager and bookkeeper for Peterson Flickinger & Larsen Veterinary Clinic. He had also served on the street department of the City of Washington and retired from G.T.E. Telephone Company in 1986 due to health issues. Bill enjoyed fishing, mushrooming, pheasant hunting, playing cards & cribbage with his family, reading history books and most of all playing his guitar and mandolin. He played lead and rhythm guitar for a dance band in the late 50's. Bill is survived by his wife of 59 years, Helen, four children and spouses: Beverly Ann and Michael Black, Gary Wayne, William H. and Marla Graf and Sherry Lynn and Bill Black all of Washington. Also surviving are the grandchildren: Bev's; Brian (wife Jody) and Chris (wife Tara), Gary's; Amanda, Dean (wife Terran) and Shane, Bill's; Nick and Chris, Sherry's, Justin and Kelly Black (fiancAC. Brad Litwiller). Great grandchildren are Haley and Tanner Black, Sydney and Isaac Black, Kurtis and Micah Olson. His sister Hilda Blum of Washington also survives. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Leo, Gerald, Raymond & Elvin Graf and one sister, Frances (Kate) McCrabb. A memorial fund in Bill's honor has been established for Hospice of Washington County or the First Baptist Church of Washington. The family wishes to thank all their family and friends who have been so helpful during this time of their sorrow. Your kindnesses will always be remembered. When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see;' If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me; I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today, while thinking of the many things we didn't get to say. I know how much you love me, as much as I love you, and each time you think of me I know you'll miss me too' But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand, that an angel come and called my name and took me by the hand, and said my place was ready in heaven far above, and that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love. But as I turned to walk away a tear fell from my eye, for all life, I'd always thought I didn't want to die. I had so much to live for and so much yet to do, it seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you. I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad, I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had. If I could relive yesterday, I thought just for a while, I'd say goodbye and kiss you and maybe see you smile. But then I fully realized that this could never be, for emptiness and memories would take the place of me. And when I thought of worldly things that I'd miss come tomorrow, I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow. But when I walked through heaven's gate, I felt so much at home. When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden throne. He said,"This is eternity and all I've promised you'. Today for life on earth is past but here it starts a new. I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last. and since each day's the same day, there's no longing for the past. But you have been so faithful, so trusting, and so true. Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn't do. . But you have been forgiven and now at last you're free. So won't you take my hand and share my life with me? So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart, for every time you think of me, I'm right here in your heart.