Willus “Bill” DeGoey, 87, of Oskaloosa and formerly of rural New Sharon, died Saturday, June 30, 2018, at Northern Mahaska Nursing and Rehab Center in Oskaloosa.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 4, at 10:30 a.m. at Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton with the Rev. Todd Rempe officiating. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery near Leighton. Graveside military honors were given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion and V.F.W. Memorials may be made to the MHP Hospice Serenity House.
Bill was born Oct. 5, 1930, in Marion County, the son of Cornelius and Caroline Van Heukelom DeGoey. He attended country school in Marion County. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to Mahaska County. Apr. 15, 1954, he was united in marriage to Alberta Woolsey at Leighton. Alberta died Nov. 9, 2009.
Bill went right back to farming when he returned from the Army. He moved to a farm he and Alberta rented north of Leighton. In 1958, the family moved to a farm west of Lacey. In 1966, Bill and Verlan Uitermarkt purchased a farm that was also west of Lacey. Bill and Alberta retired in 1995. They moved from their home west of Lacey and built a new home on the farm they owned. Bill was a member of Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton where he had served as a deacon. He was also a member of the Mahaska County Sherriff Posse, a committee member of the ASCS/FSA board in Mahaska County, the American Legion, and the V.F.W. Bill had also served on the North Mahaska School Board. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, traveling, and many winters in Arizona. He enjoyed all aspects of farming, but especially enjoyed raising cattle. He thought it was important that all his grandchildren were good drivers, he was always eager to give a driving lesson on the dirt road by the farm. He delighted in having his family with him.
His family includes his three children and their spouses, Diane (Michael) Moothart of New Sharon, Gary (Cindy) DeGoey of New Sharon, and Luanne (Roberto) Azcui of Chicago; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Thelma (Raymond) Boertje of Prairie City and Laura Joi (Lou) Van Der Hart of Newton; three brothers, Marvin (Junella) DeGoey of Pleasantville, Carl (Joyce) DeGoey of Newton, and Ryk (Jan) DeGoey of Sully; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, Bill was preceded in death by his parents; a sister and her husband, Doretha and Henry “Hank” Sneller; and a brother, Cornelius DeGoey, Jr.
