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William ‘Bill’ Wohlers

William (Bill) H. Wohlers, 81, of Charles City died Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, at his home of natural causes.

A memorial service for Bill Wohlers will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019 at Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Russ Leeper officiating.

A gathering of family and friends will be at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019 and will continue one hour before the service at the church on Saturday.

William ‘Bill’ Wohlers
William ‘Bill’ Wohlers

Family and friends will continue Bill’s Celebration of Life at the Elks Lodge #418 in Charles City following the service on Saturday with a prepared luncheon and time of fellowship.

Bill was born in NYC/Manhattan, on Aug. 12, 1938 the son of William A. and Angelina “Angie” (Pastorino) Wohlers. He grew up in The Bronx, NYC. He moved to Maywood, NJ in his teens, and graduated from Bogota High School in NJ in 1956. He attended ISTC (UNI) where he played football and earned a degree in Physical Education and History in 1960, and earned a MA in Education in 1969.

From 1960-61, Bill taught and coached at Greenfield High School in Greenfield, Iowa. In 1961 he was brought to Charles City to teach physical education and to start a Junior High Wrestling program. During his tenure, Bill also coached football and was the head high school wrestling coach. He managed the Charles City Municipal Swimming Pool during the summers that he taught. In 1974, Bill and fellow coach/teacher, Doug Korver left the world of academia and together they purchased Red Line Vending, Inc. Bill retired from that venture in 1998.

Being a part of the community was very important to Bill. This was shown through his participation in many community organizations and activities: Jaycees, St. John Lutheran Church, and BPOE Elks. He was a member of the Commercial Bank Men’s Softball Team, and the Red Line Vending Bowling team. In 2008 he was inducted into the Charles City Men’s Bowling Association “Hall of Fame”. He also served on the City Board of Adjustments and the County Compensation Board.

In 1960, Bill married Marilu Hetzer whom he met while attending UNI. Together they traveled extensively abroad and in the U.S. He enjoyed going on Canadian fishing trips, attending his coffee group at Aromas, watching the Chicago Cubs, UNI football games, and going to the theater to see Broadway plays. Bill enjoyed cooking, and loved eating bagels and New York pizza. He was a voracious reader (loved his Kindle and authors like John Sanford and James Patterson.) When his grandchildren turned 8 years old, Bill especially enjoyed taking each one to Disney World for a week. Attending all of his grandchildren’s activities was also important to Bill.

Bill is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marilu; three children: Bill (Barbara), Tom (Jen), of Charles City, IA and Sue Ellen of Iowa City, IA; five grandchildren: Lauren (David) of Morton Grove, IL, Gabe of Chandler, AZ, Hannah of Denver, CO, Alex and Averi of Charles City, IA; brother, Frank (Janet) of Blairstown, NJ; sister, Lorraine Reddiconto of Paramus, NJ; special cousins: Ray, Frank and John Pastorino; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; and special Aunt and Uncle, Marie and Charlie Pastorino.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Charles City Municipal Swimming Pool, the Charles City Schools/Sports Complex (baseball and softball fields), or charity of choice.

Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.

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