William (Bill) Eugene McLean

November 16, 2018

Service Details

William (Bill) Eugene McLean, 77, passed away Friday, November 16, 2018, at Trinity Center at Luther Park in Des Moines.

Bill was born October 22, 1941 in Des Moines, Iowa. He was the son of Hubert and Blanche (Wicker) McLean. He grew up on a farm between Sheldahl and Madrid. While growing up, Bill was a member of Hopkins Grove United Methodist Church near Madrid and was baptized as a youth. Bill graduated from North Polk Community School in 1960. He served in the United States National Guard for 6 years.

Bill married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Herman, on June 2, 1962. They were married at the Elkhart Christian Church, where Bill became an active member, serving many years as a deacon. In past years he had also been active in the Elkhart community, serving on the city council, the volunteer fire department, and the board for the Elkhart Memorial Park Softball Diamonds.

He worked for Elkhart Bottle Gas in propane sales and service, partnering with his father-in-law, Ernest Herman. When Ernest passed away, Bill and Virginia purchased Elkhart Bottle Gas, which they operated for 21 years. After selling the business to Ferrellgas, Bill became the manager for the Ferrellgas Elkhart plant. Later he was promoted to Service Manager and transferred to the Des Moines plant. He retired in 2007 after working well over four decades in the propane industry.

Friends, family, and customers knew they could call on him any time, day or night, and he would be there to help. Despite the long hours he worked, he somehow managed to attend every school and athletic event for his kids and grandkids. He was a devoted husband, dad, grandpa, and great grandpa.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Virginia; daughters Julie (Mark) Schroeder of Radcliffe, Rene (Paul) Leonard of Radcliffe, and Shari (Eric) McLean-Merten of Ankeny; grandkids Amber (Michael) Morgan, Courtney (Robert) Picard, and Tannah, Matthew, Jordan, & Kaitlyn Schroeder; great grandkids Kaia & Aiden Morgan and Heath & Leo Picard; sister-in-law Linda (Don) Howard of Plymouth, MN; brother-in-law Henry Luhr of Carnduff, Canada; nephews, Rodney Luhr, Chris Howard and Mark Howard; and nieces Shelly Hesselwood and Tammy Luhr.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Blanche; his siblings, John, Robert and Barbara; and father & mother-in-law, Ernest and Mary Herman.

All services will take place at Elkhart Christian Church, 252 NW Washington Ave., Elkhart, IA. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, November 30. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 1. A private burial will be held at a later time.

The family suggests memorial gifts be given to Promise Academy, a non-profit Christian boarding school serving children adopted from foster care. (Mailed donations can be sent to Promise Academy, c/o Julie McLean Schroeder, P.O. Pox 8, New Providence, IA 50206.)

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Print