William E. Kolling

Des Moines

William Edward (Bill) Kolling was born in Albia, IA on March 7, 1929, to William and Emma (Roland) Kolling. He passed away at Wesley Acres Health Center in Des Moines on April 13, 2015. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 18, 2015 at McLaren’s Chapel with a funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will take place at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines, followed by a luncheon at McLaren’s Chapel for family and friends.

Bill graduated from Albia High School in 1947 and attended the American Institute of Business in Des Moines for a short time. He was employed by A&P in Albia and General Casualty of Wisconsin in Des Moines. He entered the U.S. Army in January 1951 and served in the Medical Section of the 8th U.S. Army Headquarters in Seoul, Korea until honorably discharged in 1953. After military service, Bill began his career with Hawkeye-Security Insurance Company in Des Moines as a Commercial Lines Underwriter until his retirement in 1988, after 35 years of service. Bill and Sherilyn (Sheri) Birdsell, were married on April 18, 1998, after having been loving companions for 32 years. Bill was a fan of the Chicago Cubs, Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones, but liked all sports. He also enjoyed attending the Iowa State Fair several times each August until physically unable to do so. Bill loved his hometown of Albia and was a member of the American Legion Post #0136.

Preceding him in death were his parents, brothers Gene, Roland and Henry, and sisters Margaret, Marie, Lanora and Celina. He is survived by his devoted wife Sheri, many treasured nieces and nephews, other extended family, and a host of friends.

The family wishes to thank the staff and volunteers at Wesley Acres and WesleyLife Hospice for their compassionate care and support during the past 5 months.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or American Heart Association.