William C. Henss

William Carl Henss, 76, passed away Thursday, July 24, 2025 at UnityPoint Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines, IA. A private burial will take place at a later date.

Bill was born April 3, 1949 in Mount Pleasant, IA to William G. and Mabel Henss with his brother, Paul, joining the family 14 months later. The family lived in several Iowa locations before settling in Coralville, IA where Bill spent his youth. He graduated from Iowa City High in Iowa City, IA in 1967. While in high school he participated in sports with football being his favorite. Bill then attended the University of Northern Iowa. He was a 10-year college student who worked his way through school and graduated with a degree in Business/Finance.

After moving to Des Moines following graduation, Bill worked at the Walnut Creek Inn as the general manager. Bill married Dawn Dillehay from Carroll, IA on July 12, 1986 at Living History Farms Church of the Land. They spent 39 years together making many memories. In 1991 they made the move to Spirt Lake, IA where Bill worked in the construction industry as a home builder and construction supervisor for Building Industries. He built many beautiful custom homes and some commercial properties around the Iowa Great Lakes and surrounding communities. Bill was well respected by his contemporaries and customers. He strived for perfection in all that he built. It had to be “Bill perfect”. The term “that’s close enough” was not in his vocabulary. In his personal life he continued that quest for perfection for himself, friends and associates as well, pushing all to be the best they could be and not settling for “that’s close enough”. Bill and Dawn returned to West Des Moines in 2007 when Bill retired.

In addition to spending time with family and friends, Bill was a football fan that cheered on the Hawkeyes, and for many years held season tickets to which he and Dawn enjoyed attending with their friends. He also enjoyed golfing, riding motorcycle, making memories with Dawn and friends, boating on Okoboji and scuba diving. He was a certified master cave diver.

Bill is survived by his wife, Dawn; son, William Henss VI of Des Moines; beautiful granddaughter, Billie Marie Henss of Des Moines; brother, Paul Henss of Spirt Lake; closest longtime friends for many years, Rex Brandstatter of Coralville and William R. Jackson of West Des Moines. He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to the family or a charity of the donor’s choice.