William E. Derby
November 8, 1934 ~ November 4, 2010
William E. Derby, beloved husband, son, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and brother, of Cedar Rapids, died at home with his family by his side, on Thursday, November 4, 2010. He was 75. Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 8, 2010, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by Rev. Christopher Podhajsky. Visitation: 4-8 p.m. on Sunday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a Knights of Columbus rosary at 6:30 p.m. Visitation also one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Burial: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Survivors include his wife, Jean; mother, Delphine; four sons, William J., Steven (Sherry), Michael (Dana) and Scott (Ronda) Derby; five daughters, Deborah (Dennis) Pickens, Patricia Derby, Barbara (Daniel) Wagner, Darcie Derby and Dixie Derby; brother, Lee Derby, sister, Beverly Henkel; 23 grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. Bill was born November 8, 1934, in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Lee J. and Delphine (Betz) Derby. He graduated from the Loras Academy and attended Loras College. On February 21, 1955, he married Jean Gerlach in Bellevue, Iowa. Bill retired in 1997, after 40 years as an engineer with Iowa Manufacturing/Raytheon. Bill was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where he was currently serving on the Building & Grounds committee and was a former grade school football coach. Bill was also active in Knights of Columbus Council #909, where he was Grand Knight in 1980 and presently leader of Team #1 for steak and fish fry's. He was a former leader with Boy Scouts of America Troop #1. Bill was passionate about Iowa Hawkeye football, enjoyed golfing with retiree friends and playing euchre. Bill was preceded in death by his father, Lee; and a sister Janaan Fink. Bill will be sadly missed by everyone, especially family and friends. Memorials may be directed to the Knights of Columbus Persons with Intellectual Disabilities Fund Drive for Discovery Living.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. You are all in our prayers.
Teresa & family
Dear Derby Family,
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers as Bill makes his journey home. We pray that you all find such comfort in that and that you are able to surround yourselves with wonderful memories. It occurred to me today that I have known your family for as long as I can remember and every IC memory contains a Derby.
Jean, so many hugs to you. We have always admired the love that you and Bill shared. He was a truly blessed man. With love, Danny and Anne White and family
Dixie I’m So sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Becky Schwarting
Jean and the family, your loss will be felt by the many, Bill knew and showed his warmth and generosity to. He will be dearly missed
The Immaculate Conception community lost a pillar with the passing of Mr. Derby. As a kid growing up in Cedar Rapids you would always find Mr. Derby and kids events (School, Scouts, Church, Sports) supporting not only his own but others. He was a tremendous role model. My deepest sympothy to the Derby family.
Mark Marshall Family
Glen Ellyn, IL
Sometimes I still feel like I’m 8 years old and Mr. Derby is watching me walk home down the block, making sure I make it there safely. I am so glad that I made it back to Cedar Rapids last summer and got to visit with him and Mrs. Derby on the porch… In my mind, there is always the little girl that they watched over, and I am priviliged that he was my neighbor. All the Derbys taught me so much about love and family. Thank you. I carry you in my heart today, and every day.
Aunt Jean and the rest of the family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I have such pleasant memories of all of you from our visits during my childhood. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Heidi Jo
My most sincere condolences to the Derby family at this their time of loss. I know how much you all loved your Dad and Husband,William. Perhaps this little poem that I wrote will give some small solace.
The Strongest Man
(By Michael M.Kelly Sr.)
There never was a man so strong,
That the earth trembled as he walked about,
There never was a man so strong,
That the mountains shook when he would shout,
There never was a man so strong,
That the oceans would overflow if he wept,
But there was a man so strong,
That all that knew him will not forget.
Mrs. Derby and Family so so sorry to hear about Mr.Derbys passing our Familys have my memories I remember when I went to your home for girl scouts and seeing Mr.Derby there and all the school activitys,my prayers are with you all Mrs.Derby i havent seen you or Mr. Derby in years but you both have a special place in my heart.
Dear William Derby family,
Please be assured of my thoughts and prayers with the passing of Bill. He was always the gentleman, very thoughtful, and fun to be around.
Yours in Christ,
Deacon Robert HurychK
Patty and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of the death of your dad! I just have the best memories of hanging out at the Derby home and goofing off upstairs in the girls rooms. Your dad always had a smile and a hug for me. What a great man!! Patty – I am sorry I can not be there to give you a huge hug, but I am praying for you and your mom and family during this time. Love to you Derby family!!
Our sympathy to the entire Derby family. We also feel we lost a wonderful friend and know he was loved by many. Am sure that you all have many wonderful memories to cherish for a lifetime. Our love and prayers to all of you.
Any of us who were blessed to have known “Mr. Derby” is saddened to learn of his death. Not surprisingly, the consistent appraisal of Bill among the e-mails passed along to us out-of-towners in regards to his passing cut right to the chase – “A great man.” There’s no better legacy than that.
Bill was as rock solid of a family man as there ever was. He loved and cherished his beautiful wife and their children and offspring, and looked after his mother and other family members. Yet, he also made time to devote himself to his church and its people. He lived the way we are supposed to live, with God and family in his heart and soul. He cared deeply for his friends and neighbors, too, and was always the first to volunteer his time to help someone in need or pitch in on a committee, Scouts or coaching. For decades, he served as one of the cinder blocks on which IC stands today. Bill was one of the longtime parishioners most responsible in helping to keep the old church alive. He never left.
Bill was always quick to greet you with his big smile and a warm handshake, and often shared a crafty comment that would make you laugh. He always asked how you were doing and what you were up to, and maintained a genuine interest in those of us who shared in his life. He was Old-School.
Perhaps I’m exaggerating here, but they don’t make ‘em like “Mr. Derby” anymore.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones.
5ily and it rubbed off on all who were fortunate enough to know him.I always felt a little more light hearted after talking to Bill.Everyone will miss him and we know Heaven welcomed him with open arms Love and Hugs to all.We would be there but we are in Az. for the winter fondly,Gary & Kay
Jean and family,
I am deeply saddened to learn of Bill’s death. He was such a wonderful man. My prayers and thughts are with you…Marlene
card9|family
Sorry to hear of your loss. I worked with Bill and Deb at Iowa Man. What a great person and my thoughts goes out the family. My sympathy to the entire Derby family
card2|family
Dear Mrs. Derby and family,
I was so sorry to hear about Mr. Derby. My heart aches for your loss. Almost every memory I have of my life at Immaculate Conception includes the two of you and members of your family. He was a wonderful man and the two of you always made me feel so special whenever I came back to IC. My thoughts and prayers will be with you all. God has welcomed a new angel to his kingdom.
May you find comfort in God’s love,
Ginger (Pilcher) Mennenoh
Jean Derby and Family,
My sincere condolences in the loss of your Husband and Father. Mr. Derb was a kind and great man especially to the youth of the Immaculate Conception Parish community. Thank you all for sharing him with all of us.
Mike Fagan and Family
Glen Ellyn, IL
We are thinking of all of you at this time and are very sorry for your loss. Your Dad was a sweet man loved by many!
Jean & Family, so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I will miss seeing him & waving to you both as I drive by. Love you both bunches. Elizabeth
Patty and family – I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. Derby was a great man and I have fond memories of the Derby home always welcoming me in with hugs and laughs.
My prayers go out to you and your family during this time.
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Derby. Growing up, I was a close friend of Debbie’s and knew Mr. and Mrs. Derby very well. Time has passed and children have grown up and moved on and Mr. Derby has been a fine example for us on how to live our lives. He has shown us all how one person can make a big difference through many, many small acts of kindness. He gave of himself to his family, his church and his community and he will be greatly missed. My deepest condolences to Mrs. Derby, Debbie and the entire Derby family. I am sure he is in Heaven now still helping out by watching over you all.
Scott & Family –
Just heard about this. Very sorry for your loss. Also sorry I missed the service. Thinking of you all. God Bless – Craig
My condolences to the Derby family and friends. As a little kid, I have vivid memories of Mr. Derby playing slow-pitch softball with the rest of the “IC” team — the big friendly guy with a strong voice. He had a great sense of community and was a natural leader.
Paul Hernandez & Family
Austin, TX
Mrs. Derby and the Derby Family, I am so very, very sorry to hear of Mr. Derby’s passing. And I am so sorry that I was not able to attend the funeral. I would have been there in a heartbeat if possible.
I have such fond memories of growing up at Immaculate Conception School and Church and all of the Dads (and Moms) that were always there to help with whatever needed to be done. Mr. Derby was always one of those Dads. Whether it be coaching at the school, painting the school, singing in the church choir, playing on the men’s softball team…..I could go on and on. Mr. Derby was a friend to everyone and he will always be a person that I remember with love.
Thank you Mrs. Derby, for you and Mr. Derby coming to my dad’s surprise 80th birthday party. It meant so much to my dad to have so many long time friends there. I have a picture of Mr. Derby and Mr. Snow, sitting on the deck, at that party. I love that picture and will always cherish it.
Again, you are all in my thoughts and prayers. And I will always have fond memories of Mr. and Mrs. Derby and our families growing up together.
Mary Beth (Dale) Seidl
My sincere condolences to the Derby family. I first met Bill the day I came to work at Iowa Manufacturing Company. His friendly manner made you feel welcome in a crowded and strange environment. I worked with Bill for 23 years and he always seemed to be in good spirits and was always willing to help. I considered him a friend as well as a co-worker.
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Bill at Cedarapids, Inc. for a couple of years right after I was out of college. I was just a shy Bellevue girl in a world of very important engineers & Bill made me feel welcome! Whenever I saw Bill he always had time to say hi & chat for a moment…you know to catch up on Bellevue news! I loved his smile & great stories! What a great person he was, I will never forget him. I am now 20 years wiser (?) and work for the City of Cedar Rapids, & when I think back to my Cedarapids, Inc. days I think of Bill & smile! God Bless.
Jean & family of Bill Derby,
I was sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Bill,husband, father and grandpa.
May you find peace and comfort in the memories of a life well lived, as he touched so many with his kindness and giftedness.
Peace and blessings to each of you.
With prayerful sympathy,
Georgene Krogman