Bill Grange
May 16, 1952 ~ November 17, 2020
William 'Bill' Grange, 68, of Mount Vernon, passed away peacefully Tuesday, November 17, 2020, at Hospice House, Hiawatha, after a short illness. There will be no services at this time. Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon, is caring for Bill and his family.
Survivors include his mother, Gladys of Mount Vernon; special friends Jeff and Bridgette Miller and their daughter, Maddy, and Annamae Baker; and many friends, neighbors, and community members.
Bill was born May 16, 1952, in Cedar Rapids, to Wallace 'Buck' and Gladys (Ness) Grange. He attended Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, then attended Kirkwood Community College for his Associate's. He worked at Gary's Foods for over 40 years where he was a friend to everyone. He retired in 2017. Bill was known to bicycle everywhere, enjoyed traveling, and listening to good music like Bruce Springsteen, Deep Purple, and Mott the Hoople. He loved dogs, enjoyed hanging out with friends and having a good time, and was truly loved by everyone.
He was preceded in death by his father, Buck.
Memorials may be directed to Mount Vernon/Lisbon Ambulance.
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Willie you were the best. You gave so much to people with your wonderful heart. I will miss talking about the Chicago Bears with you! Enjoy your music up in heaven. Until we meet again. Love you bunches!!!
Sorry to read about Bill in today’s Gazette. Good memories of sitting with Bill at services at old Calvary Bapt. Church and in youth group. I realize now where I got my Bears tradition. Blessings to Gladys and the family. Jeff Gard
I am so sorry to read of Bill’s passing. I knew Bill from having delivered Wonder bread to Gary’s Foods for 22 years. During that time I spoke with him 5 days a week about many common interests “The Boss” Springsteen, Deep Purple, “Da Bears “, concerts, and music collections. Bill was always a joy to talk to. Patient and positive with whomever he encountered at work, Bill led by example on a daily basis. I know in these troubled times it will be a while before any of us will attend a new concert or show, but I’m certain Bill now is enjoying heavenly tunes we can’t even imagine. God Bless. Walt Moss
Walt -my husband and Bill were best friends. We never met personally but Bill always talked very highly of you.
Bill was a great guy. He was my manager at Gary’s Foods in the mid-80s, though he was more a work buddy than a boss. Had lots of great laughs with him. He even had me bring back some Bruce records from Australia. My favorite memory was when Mark Benesh drew a picture of Bill’s “Bruce Boots” (pic of cowboy boots) and posted it in the breakroom.
Oh my gosh Bill, I am so sorry that I haven’t had the chance to visit with you recently. I loved the years we worked together!!!! You truly are a special person and a friend to all who knew you! You will certainly be missed!
I was so shocked to hear the passing of Bill. I worked with Bill for 22 years at Gary’s Foods. I always enjoyed our conversations. We always had a lot to talk about from work to he’s family and my family. I know he’s mom was is world. I will miss seeing him out and about. But I will cherish the years i got to know Bill he was so kind and very thoughtful person. Will be thinking of you and your family at this difficult time. I will Never forget you my friend.
What can I say, Bill was an icon and always laughing, I never saw Bill mad. He was one of a kind and will be missed by so many. He was a mentor to so many young kids at work, everybody loved Bill. I have had many fun times with Bill and will never forget him and his kind ways. My special thoughts to his dear Mother, Bless her and Bill. RIP, my dear Bill.
I’m sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I did not know him personally, but I do know that if he liked Mott The Hoople, he HAD to be one of the good guys.
Bill was such a great guy! I worked with him at Gary’s foods while I was in high school and college, he lived a few houses down from me for awhile , he was so kind. even after years I would stop in at Gary’s when I was in town and he still had time to say hi and catch up. He loved his dog and everyone that came in contact with him. Thanks for all the good times Bill, you will be missed.
Bill was a good, kind-hearted soul. We lost touch in adulthood, but hung out when he was at Kirkwood and I was at Cornell, where he had a girlfriend named Jan. We frequented a goodly number of watering holes and played plenty of pinball at the Lindale game room in CR. We especially enjoyed Big John’s Pizza in Mount Vernon. He drove a sporty Fiat. Bill loved to laugh, usually twisting on his mustache at the same. He would humorously and jokingly say, “I just keep better looking each day.” He also hung out with my late brother Nick. Haven Simmons