William Armstrong
September 25, 2012
William (Bill) Armstrong was born October 2, 1943, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to Clifford Wayne and Elizabeth Marcella Armstrong. He graduated from Oskaloosa High School and then attended William Penn College.
Bill worked in the transportation industry for 40 years. In 2009, he started to drive a school bus for Durham School Services, providing service to the Ankeny School District. This job gave him many memorable experiences; he created great friendships, accompanied the softball team to the state tournament, and took his grandkids to many field trips. He loved his job as a bus driver.
Bill is survived by his wife, Colleen; three daughters, Kelly Mahoney of Wichita, Kansas, Ali and Duane Anderson of Suffolk, Virginia, and Angelina and Aaron Blass of Ankeny, Iowa; and two sons, Dustin Sheriff and his fiancé Moon Kwon of Denver, Colorado, and Brandon Sheriff of Ankeny, Iowa; nine grandchildren, Princeton, Nicholas, Elizabeth, Andrew, Colben, Maya, Anya, Selah and Lilly, two brothers, Bob and Cheryll Armstrong of Scottsdale, Arizona, Mark and Julie Armstrong of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and one sister, Carol Armstrong and her husband Chad Aston of Killington, Vermont.
Bill was most happy in the presence of his family and friends. He was a proud husband, father and grandfather and loved to make his family smile. As a mentor, teacher and friend, Bill was a leader devoted to the success of his family and friends. In his spare time he enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson and driving his Corvette.
Bill loved life and never complained, even if he had a bad day. He always found a reason to be happy. Bill never knew a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone. One of his favorite places to be in the morning was Casey’s General Store so he could drink coffee, socialize, and tell a great story.
My family and I want to personally thank those of you who prayed for Bill this past year while he was in the fight of his life. Your friendship is very much appreciated. He was proud to call you his “friend” and I am blessed to call him my “husband”.
Memorial services will be held at 12 p.m., Saturday, September 29, 2012, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, with burial to follow at Polk City Cemetery. The family will be present for a visitation on Friday, September 28, from 5:00 until 7:00 pm, also at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Michael S. McMurry
09/29/2012
I met Bill & Colleen just a few times with their friends, Ted & Charla. But it did not take many visits to know that he was a most interesting guy and a great conversationalist. R.I.P., Bill.
Kyle Lindberg
09/28/2012
I had the pleasure of working with Bill for a few years at MV Transportation, and Bill by far was one of the greatest guys I have grown to know to this day! He was always ready to tell you the funny joke, or story, or always took time to sit and chat with you for a few!! I will never forget those days, and those days of us riding the bikes with him and Colleen to the local establishment for lunch, or wherever! He was truely a great guy, and will be missed by so many!!! I will never forget you Bill, you were a true friend!! God Bless your soul, and be sure to look down on us as we continue to ride our Harley Davidsons and thinking of you!! Heaven is now in the hands of another angel!
Your friend,
Kyle Lindberg
CHUCK AND MARY LONG
09/28/2012
Colleen and Family
Our sincere sympathy to your family. We enjoyed meeting Bill at our class reunions. He was very personable and fit right in with our crazy friends. Peace in your sorrow.
Dick Patchett
09/28/2012
Kelly and Ali,
Your Dad was a good friend and I will always have great memories of our time together.
Give your Mom our condolences.
Dick & Susan
Lynn Gordon Grey
09/28/2012
Bill was a friend during our high school days In Osky. I just saw him earlier this fall at our friend (Pat VanArkel) service. We had such a nice visit and I was so glad to hear that he was in remission. I also have a great picture taken at our class reunion of Bill and the "Osky girls" I will send it to you. When Roberta and Don Barnes called I was shocked to hear that Bill had passed away. We carry your family in our hearts and prayers.
Gordon Anderson
09/28/2012
I will always remember Bill's smile as it just seemed to light up the room. From ear to ear would still be the best way to describe it.
My condolences to my good friend Bob and the family.
Roberta (Milgrove) Malsheske
09/28/2012
Bill was one of my best friends in high school. And we used to get in alot of trouble together! Like we used to take his brother Bob's car and ride around and then go to his dad's gas station and put the gas back in that we used.
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mike Lanning
09/28/2012
Sorry to hear about Bill. He was a great guy and was enjoyable to be with. Great sense of humor. Condolences to his family
Mike and Carolyn Melcher
09/27/2012
May GOD comfort you and your family.Bill would stop by and we would reminise about our times together.How we used the farm for my batchlor party.The thousands of trips thru PUT'S in Osky with Mitch and Sheehy how we were known as "the four Snots" by all the decent people in town.I will miss him.