William Purdy

William Bill Purdy passed away on Friday, May 31, 2013, at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa surrounded by his family.Funeral services will be held at10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, at the New Horizon United Methodist Church in Melbourne, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday June 4, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Memorials may be directed to the family. For condolences or questions please visit; www.mitchellfh.com. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Bill and his family. Phone 641-844-1234.William Loyd Purdy was born on March 27, 1944, at home in rural Union, Iowa, the son of James and Ruth (Whitmore) Purdy. He attended LeGrand Community Schools, graduating with the class of 1961. On March 31, 1979 he was united in marriage to Marilyn Cookie Ficken at the Liscomb Church of Christ. They had lived in the Melbourne area their entire married life. Bill worked at Fisher Controls for 38 years retiring in 2003. Bill was a member of the local UAW 893, International Association of Fire Fighters, Secretary for Marshall County Fire Association, a volunteer firefighter for the Melbourne Fire Department for 30 years, Melbourne Methodist Church and was an instructor for new firefighters. He enjoyed tinkering and could work on anything, tearing it apart and putting it back together - from small engines and wood crafting of all types. He loved camping, riding his motorcycle, and farming - even though he was always busy he made time for his loving family which was very important to him.Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 34 years, Marilyn Cookie of Melbourne, children: Sherrie (Jeff) Struble of Hinesville, Georgia and Terry Runt (Laura) Purdy of Foley, Alabama, and grandchildren: Jordan, Jacob and Seth Struble, Shawn Garr and Jamie Purdy Also surviving are his siblings: Judy Wyble of Houston, Texas and Ron (Jean) Purdy of LeGrand, Iowa and brother-in-law, Bill (Barb) Ficken of Kansas City as well as many friends and other family.In death Bill rejoins his parents Jim and Ruth and brother-in-laws, Jim and Butch Ficken