In loving memory of

William L Peel
October 9, 1922 - July 30, 2019

William L. "Bill" Peel, 96, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday morning, July 30, 2019, at River Hills Village in Keokuk, Iowa.

Bill was born on October 9, 1922 in Detroit, Michigan to Charles and Eva Peel. He graduated from Keokuk Senior High School in 1941. After working for the Keokuk Electro-Metals Co. as a payroll clerk, Bill served two years overseas with the 36th Special Service Co. in Africa, India, and Burma. He continued to serve as reunion chairman for the 36th SSC in the years following the war. After returning to the States, Bill married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Alice Betts on March 12, 1946 at the First Christian Church. He then reentered the workforce with Keokuk Electro-Metals Company and Transportation, retiring from the company in 1983 as manager of Scrap Metals Purchasing and Transportation.

Bill was a longtime, faithful member of Trinity United Methodist Church. As a lifetime member of the Keokuk Lions Club, Bill was named Honorary Lion Member for Life. He was an avid golfer and lifetime member of the Keokuk Elks Club, BPOE 106. Bill was also highly active in the Keokuk Jaycees Club. He was a staunch supporter of all Keokuk High School sports teams, and a dedicated fan of Iowa Hawkeyes football and basketball. His enthusiasm and commitment to local high school sports included serving as a certified Illinois State high school football official, working games throughout the Tri-State Area.

Bill is survived by two sons, David (Kimberly) Peel of Ft. Collins, Colorado, and Thomas (Kasandra) Peel of McKinney, Texas; sister-in-law Jody Hendricks of Keokuk; grandchildren, Carter Peel, Jayme (Robin) Peel, and Joel (Heather) Fisher; great grandchildren, Madison and Emma Fisher, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 72 years, Alice; his mother and father; and his sister Lilian.

A celebration of his life will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 7 at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life at 917 Blondeau Street, and visitation with family will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

His request was that in lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to the Hoerner YMCA and the Keokuk Lions Club.

Tributes

Joe McCarthy wrote on Nov 6, 2019:

"Just found about Bill?s death today, Nov. 5. He was a classmate and close companion. He, Dan Kane, Jack Meister and I were the last of the KHS class of 1941. Visited he and Alice at their home on the Boulevard several times in later years. Bill was a joker, loved by all. Will miss him. Joe McCarthy"

Steve and Jan Renard wrote on Aug 2, 2019:

"Steve and I are so sorry that we'll be unable to attend the service on Wednesday, but we wanted to express our sympathies to all of you. Bill and Alice were wonderful people, and they will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with you. Steve and Jan Renard"

Susan Meister Dowd wrote on Aug 2, 2019:

"Dave and Kim so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you with sympathy and prayers. Susie"

Lonnie Swift wrote on Aug 2, 2019:

"To the family of William Peel, i'm sorry for your loss. Bill was unequivocally one of the Finest person I had the pleasure to know. Played golf many years with Bill and Alice. I'm glad I had the pleasure to know the Peels. They both will be missed. Lonnie Swift "

Nancy McDonnell wrote on Aug 1, 2019:

"Tom, Dave and family. So sorry to hear of your loss. I too worked with Mr. Peel while at Foote Mineral and my dad lived in the apartment building next to your family's home on High Street for a time. So sorry. "

Patty Ludwig wrote on Aug 1, 2019:

"To the Peel Family, I am so sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of working for Bill at Foote Mineral. He was such a nice man to work for. We always called each other on our birthdays, and I will miss that. Patty Ludwig"