Bill was born at home in Des Moines, Iowa in 1926 the youngest and third child to Robert and Fanny Cramer. Bill grew up in Des Moines and Minneapolis graduating from Des Moines Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1944. He then attended Iowa State College ( now Iowa State University).
Along with his older brother Bob, Bill was recognized after his first semester for achieving the highest GPA for freshman in the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He received a B.S. degree in Industrial Economics in 1952 and worked various jobs before retiring from Diamond International in 1985 as the auditor in the Boulder office.
Bill was drafted into the army in 1946. He served 7 months of his 2 year commitment and then was discharged. Bill achieved Marksman with a Carbine rifle and was ready for assignment but was discharged due to the army downsizing from WWII. He returned to Iowa State to finish and complete his degree. However, because he didn’t complete his military commitment Bill was drafted again for 17 months when the Korean war started and was stationed near Frankfurt Germany. Not one to look at reassignment as an unsolvable problem Bill approached this as an opportunity and enjoyed European travel adventures until his discharge. On board the USS Geiger steaming home from Europe Bill was the Master of Ceremonies for the enlisted men’s show “Geiger Follies”. His entertaining performance was so well received the ship’s captain enlisted Bill to perform a similar show for the officer’s as well (which apparently was a somewhat unusual request at the time).
Bill enjoyed traveling, whether abroad or within the United States. His jobs took him to Alaska, California, Wisconsin, Savannah Georgia, Des Moines and Wichita Kansas. When asked he loved to tell about his traveling experiences in Morocco, Germany, Italy as well as the United States. Bill and a friend moved to Boulder, Colorado in the mid 1960’s, he fell in love with Boulder, Colorado, and never moved again.
Bill’s employment ranged from laborer in Alaska after college, accountant in Banking, Field service engineer for the military teaching bombing systems, sports car racetrack engineer and lumbar company accountant/auditor in multiple states and countries.
Bill “never met a stranger” and made friends wherever he went. He had a real zest for living that was truly enjoyable to witness and be part of.
A man with a quick wit, great sense of humor, easy to laugh, uninhibited and game for almost anything it’s no wonder that he was drawn to the theatre. His first exposure to acting was at Iowa State and acting became a life long interest and hobby. Bill participated in local theatre wherever life’s journey’s landed him. For example Bill played Elwood P. Dowd, the lead character, in the play “Harvey”, a man who befriended an imaginary 6’ 3” Rabbit, at the Des Moines Community Playhouse and received wonderful revues for his performance. After retiring Bill pursued acting more intently. He was a member of the Screen Actors Guild and had supporting roles in several episodes of the Perry Mason/ Ironsides TV series, several commercials and advertising. To his surprise, Bill’s physician nephew came across an ad in the back of a medical journal he was reading featuring Bill. They both had a fun laugh over that discovery.
A regular participant in local theatre at the Nomad Theatre in Boulder until the Nomad closed its doors several years ago (it has since re-opened), he played Oscar in the Odd Couple at the Nomad, a fun and favorite role of Bill’s.
Bill loved to read and was very well read. His logic was sharp and memory intact until the last couple of days of life. He enjoyed a variety of literature from classics to modern fiction and one of his hobbies was collecting books. He was easily and frequently coaxed to go to the Boulder Book Store or Barnes and Noble for a cup of coffee, chat awhile and peruse the latest publications.
Dogs were also a favorite topic of Bill’s. As a child he had two Boston Terriers, Muggins 1 and Muggins 2. Both animals tragically died when Bill was young. His voice would crack just a little even now decades later as he talked about them. Raunchie was a large boxer Bill rescued from owner maltreatment in 1960 while living in Wichita Kansas. Raunchie and Bill became best friends and they both loved to drive in Bill’s convertible with the top down wherever and whenever possible from Florida to the midwest. There were fun Raunchie stories to entertain us all. In Raunchie’s best interest Bill reluctantly gave him to a family with an acreage who loved dogs when Bill couldn’t find a place for them both to live. Raunchie spent his last golden years happily on a ranch in California.
While living in Boulder Bill met a beautiful young co-ed who was attending the University of Colorado, Jane McDonald. The attraction between them and the love they shared was special to all who knew them. Jane had the easiest most beautiful smile and a calming influence on Bill. They were together over 40 years until Jane’s untimely death 6 1/2 years ago. Bill missed his wife every day until his passing and whenever the concept of Bill’s death was discussed he almost enthusiastically would say “ Well, if I die it’s OK. I’ll just go look for Jane”.
Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife Jane, his parents, brother Robert W. Cramer and sister Mary Jean Hay(Cramer). He is survived by several nieces and nephews, Natalie L Cramer of Edina, MN, Robert A Cramer, of Burnsville, MN, Juliet M. Cramer of Kalamazoo, MI, Cynthia J. Rockwell of White Pigeon, MI, Stephen D. Hay of Des Moines, IA, Thomas C. Hay of Boulder, CO, Jon M. Hay of Alexandria, LA, brother and sister-in-law Paul and Rosemary McDonald (Jane McDonald) all who miss him very much. Bill was loved by many and had great friends throughout Boulder.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the charity of your choice, Actors Fund (actorsfund.org), Agape Healthcare (hospice) or American Cancer Society.
A celebration of life is being planned with public notification at a later date.
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