Individual Details

Birth

William (Bill) Furr will celebrate his 90th birthday on January 24, 2012. Birthday wishes may be sent to: 3706 NE Cottonwood Ln. Ankeny, IA 50021
Published in the Des Moines Register on January 22, 2012

Death

William Shoemake Furr, 94, was blessed with a peaceful passing on Monday, April 25, 2016 with his family by his side. Bill was born January 24, 1922 in Chicago, IL to Homer Noah and Anna Faye Furr. He graduated high school in 1941 from Oskaloosa, IA. Bill went on to attend William Penn University until entering the Marines as a Technical Sergeant from 1942-1945. On his return from WWII, Bill attended University of Iowa School of Business. Bill joined in marriage to Mary Elizabeth Trenshaw on August 22, 1948. They were married 65 years when Mary passed away July, 2013. Bill was employed by Standard Oil in Des Moines for four years. He then spent 30 years at Equitable of Iowa, retiring in 1982. Bill was a charter member of the Des Moines Kiwanis Club (30 plus years). He was also a member of VFW Post 9662, American Legion Post 374 and 50 year member of Tri-Luminar Masonic Lodge in Oskaloosa. In retirement, Bill was a driver for the American Cancer Society - Road to Recovery program. He and Mary also enjoyed traveling with friends to Canada, Europe, Hawaii and within the United States. Bill enjoyed card playing, slot machines, Iowa Hawkeyes and the St. Louis Cardinals. He really enjoyed watching his grandsons play sports for the Ankeny Hawks. Bill is survived by his daughters, Ann (Randy) Petersen and Molly (Larry) McLaughlin, his grandsons, Mitchell (Stephanie) McLaughlin and Tanner McLaughlin all of Ankeny. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, April 28, 2016 at McLaren's Chapel followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will take place at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Taylor House Hospice or the Animal Rescue League of Iowa in memory of Bill. The family would like to express their gratitude for the loving and compassionate care provided by Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines. "Those we love don't go away. They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed and very dear."
Published in Des Moines Register from Apr. 26 to Apr. 27, 2016