Dr. Bill Withers
Dr. Bill R. Withers, age 90, of Waukon died peacefully, surrounded by family Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services were held Tuesday, September 17 at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon with Rev. Grant VanderVelden officiating.
Pallbearers were Bill’s grandsons. A private family burial was held at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements. Memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church or the Veterans Memorial Hospital Foundation.
Dr. Bill R. Withers was born December 19, 1933, to Cecile Case Withers and Alec Clifton Withers in Seminole, OK. He spent his childhood in several locations in Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Colorado. Bill’s father was in the newspaper business, and Bill started working with a newspaper route at a noticeably young age. He graduated from high school in 1950 in Fort Collins, CO and attended Colorado State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. He then entered medical school at Colorado University in Denver. While attending medical school, Bill would deliver newspaper bundles for carriers on weekends. He was able to live for the week on his $13 weekend pay! It was during this time that Bill met his future wife, Elizabeth (Libby) Inglis Hale. They were set up on a blind date! Bill and Libby were married in Waukon June 24, 1958 at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon and were married almost 62 years at the time of Libby’s death in 2020. Following the wedding, they returned to Colorado where Bill completed his internships, and Libby served as a visiting nurse for the city and county of Denver.
In 1959, Bill completed his degree and volunteered to serve as a medical offi cer in the United States Army at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, WA as a Captain in the Medical Corps, USAR, 4th Infantry Division. It was here that their first child, William Nathan (Bill Nate), was born in 1959.
Bill and Libby moved back to Waukon in 1961, where Bill joined the Medical Associates with doctors Clark Rominger and Louis Bray. This private practice lasted over 30 years from 1961-1991 where Bill dutifully served his community with love and compassion for each of his patients throughout the years. He once shared that in the first 25-30 years of his practice, he delivered over one thousand babies - adding that in his first year in Waukon, he delivered 365 newborns! It was also during this time that Bill and Libby’s three other children were born, James Hale (1962), Elizabeth Jane (1965) and
John Rodger (1973).
In 1991, Bill joined the Gundersen Lutheran Healthcare System, working for 20 more years as a family physician. In all, he practiced over 53 years, and even in retirement served as an “on-call” advice doctor for his family and friends. He continued to take his medical board exams well into his eighties just to keep himself current.
Bill was a member of the U.S. Academy of Family Practice, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Allamakee and Iowa State Medical Society Member, an elder and deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon and a faithful member since 1961. He was also a member of the Allamakee County Board of Health and was a City of Waukon and Allamakee County Health Officer. Bill’s accolades continue with his membership on the Board of Education for the Allamakee Community School District from 1965-1977, as well as a Director for Keystone Area Education Agency (AEA) from 1974-1992 and from 1997 until the time of his death, faithfully attending each board meeting due to his strong commitment to education and children in our state. Bill was the firsttime recipient in the state of Iowa of the AEA E. Robert Stephens Award for distinguished service in 2017.
In May of this year, Bill was awarded the 2024 Distinguished Service Award by the Iowa Council of Administrators of Special Education (iCASE). The Distinguished Service Award is presented by iCASE to individuals making significant contributions to programs and service for students with disabilities.
In Bill’s spare time, he loved public service, fishing, jigsaw puzzles, shopping, Starbucks, chocolate malts, and a good book. His pride and joy were his family, and when asked what he wanted to be remembered for, he said that it would be the love he had for his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren, as well as his love for family medicine for so many years.
Bill will be missed by his four children, Bill Nate (Linda) of Waukee, Jim (Jenifer) of Ames, Jane (Chris) Wilhelm of Valrico, FL, and John (Michelle) of Granger.
Also remembering him with love are his 11 grandchildren: Nicole (Harvin), Andrew (Elle), Cole, Cate, Emma, Zach (Emma), Laura (Max), Alec, Kennady, Nate, and Jaxon; as well as his great-grandchildren, Jordyn, Brock, Emilia, Jack, and a new great-grandson coming in March of 2025, all of whom he was always so proud of and interested in each of their lives. Bill is also survived by his brother, Richard Withers; and his sister, Merry Lee (Babe) Withers. He was preceded in death by his wife, Libby; his parents; and his sister, Sue Perkins.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
