William Edward Jr Barber

William Edward Barber, Jr., 84, died at his rural Glenwood home on July 23, 2012. Bill was one of six children of Anna Marie Magdalena "Lena" (Koch) and William Edward Barber, born on September 28, 1927 in Centralia, Kansas. He grew up in parts of northern Missouri, northeast Kansas, and southwest Iowa. Bill graduated from Tabor High School in Tabor, Iowa in 1945. Following school, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. Bill married Louise Dunsdon, daughter of Roy and Gladys (Jensen) Dunsdon of Tabor, on December 22, 1946 in Tabor. They lived in Belleville, Illinois while Bill was in the service. Following his honorable discharge in 1949, the couple returned to Iowa and began building a farming operation in Mills County, northwest of Tabor. Bill and Louise were blessed with five children, David Allen, Randall Eugene, Keith Edward, Linda Louise, and Bruce Neal. In 1977 Bill and Louise moved into a new house, on the first piece of farm ground they had purchased, west of Malvern. Bill took great pride in his work as a farmer and a businessman. He was an early adopter of changing technologies to improve his ...[more]

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in and livestock operations. When he parked the combine for the last time, he continued to operate his seed business, invested in custom hog production, and as recent as last year did custom terrace seeding for local farmers. Bill was a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints in Tabor. He was involved with 4-H, Boy Scouts and served in leadership on the Mid American Scout Council for many years. The Boy Scouts awarded Bill their highest honor for distinguished service, the Silver Beaver Award. Bill was a member of the Mills County Pork Producers and the Mills/Montgomery Cattlemen's Association. He served on the FHA loan board, and was currently on the Board of Review for the Office of Mills County Assessor. He and Louise attended and supported their children and grandchildren at activities and events at church and at school. Almost anytime, anywhere, Mom and Dad, or Grandma and Grandpa "B", were in the audience. The couple also enjoyed traveling to Europe, Alaska, and Hawaii. Bill was an avid reader and enjoyed working crossword puzzles. When "retirement" arrived at age 65, Bill had the time to pursue a lifelong passion for flying. He got his pilot's licencse, bought an airplane, and spent as much time as he could in the air. Bill raced dirt track stock cars in partnership with his brother Earl before the kids came on the scene, and was a lifelong race fan. Grandpa "B" loved to treat his grandkids and their spouses to a weekend at NASCAR in Kansas City. Less time on the tractor farming gave Bill time to restore his father's first John Deere tractor, which is a two cylinder John Deere B. He was a man of incredible integrity, who believed in education, being productive, and contributing to the lives of others, which he did for all 84 years. Bill loved nothing better than spending time with his family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Bill and Louise were married 51 years, when Louise died on August 23, 1998. Bill was also preceded in death by his parents; infant son David; sisters, Betty Bowman and husband Oliver, and Joyce Hannah; and brothers-in-law, Frank Correll, Leonard Larson, and Thornton Dunsdon and wife Emily. Bill is survived by his children, Randall Barber and wife Mary of Blue Springs, NE, Keith Barber and wife Kathy of Tabor, Linda Winkler and husband Gordon of Mt. Ayr, IA, and Bruce Barber and wife Barb of Decatur, IL; 13 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren (plus 2 on the way); sisters, Anna Correll of Independence, MO, and Flossie Lasley of Red Oak; brother Earl Barber and wife Charlene of Glenwood; sister-in-law Geraldine Larson of Gilbert, AZ; brother-in-law Wendell Dunsdon and wife Kay of Council Bluffs, IA; many nieces and nephews; other relatives; and a host of friends. Memorials suggested to the William E. & Louise Barber Endowment Scholarship Fund. Military Honors & Interment in Tabor Cemetery.