William J. Meister, Ill

Celebration of Life Service 1:00 PM - Monday, October 1, 2018 United Methodist Church Manning, Iowa Officiating Reverend Vicki Fisher. Interment with Military Honors American Legion Post #607 Breda, Iowa, at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Manning, Iowa.

William J. Meister, III "Billy," 68, of Manning, Iowa, passed away after a long battle with cancer on Wednesday, September 12, 2018, at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System in Des Moines, Iowa.

Billy was born at St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll, Iowa on July 22, 1950, to Alice (Lapitz) and William Meister, Jr. He grew up around Wall Lake, Iowa, and attended most of his school there. Billy graduated from St. Bernard's High School in 1968. After high school, he attended Universal Trade School in Omaha, Nebraska, and served in the US Army Reserves from 1969 - 1975. In 1979, Billy married Nancy Shannon and to this union one daughter was born.

Billy lived most of his life in and around Carroll County. Though he lived in town for most of his adult years, he grew up on a farm and always had an affinity for the rural life and the art of farming. Billy drove a semi-truck for most of his working career for various companies including the Farm Service Co-op in Harlan, Farner-Bocken in Carroll and even drove independently with his own truck for a time. In his spare time, he enjoyed riding motorcycles and watching old westerns, stock car races and a good old-fashioned rodeo on television, or in person. In more recent years, Billy acquired a Minneapolis Moline tractor and enjoyed going on tractor rides in the area.

Billy was active in area recovery groups and especially in The Source worship service and Bible study at Manning United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his daughter Shannon Meister of Council Bluffs, Iowa, his sisters Kathy (Peter) Nash of Arizona and Connie Meister of California and numerous cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Alice Meister and William Meister, Jr.

Memorials may be made to Manning United Methodist Church.
Ohde Funeral Home www.ohdefuneralhome. com