William "Bill" John Milbourn
February 15, 2014
William John “Bill” Milbourn, 70, passed away Saturday, February 15, 2014 at the Grinnell Health Care Center.
Bill was born December 13, 1943 in Des Moines, Iowa to Lloyd and Betty (Davis) Milbourn. He graduated from Altoona High School in 1962. Bill lived in the area his whole life, residing in Altoona, Pella, Mitchellville, and Colfax.
Bill was a self-employed small business owner his whole life. He owned and operated Bill’s Auto Repair and for a time owned a bar – The HyTyme – in Colfax. He also worked for Golden Sun Feeds. He liked to tell people he was a charter member of the Corvette Club. Bill completely restored a ’56 Bel Aire and took it around to car shows. He had a huge heart and was always trying to help people in need. It didn’t always work out the way he intended, but he never stopped trying.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Natalie Milbourn of Des Moines; daughter, Christina (Jamison) Hunter of Yamato-shi, Japan; son, Adam Milbourn of Eugene, Oregon; granddaughters, Taylor and Natasha Hunter and Anora Milbourn; sister, Janis E. Ray of Newton; nephew, David (Galina) Ray of Story City; niece, Anjie Olmstead of Newton; three great-nieces and one great-nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
There will be a celebration of Bill’s life from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 21, 2014 at the Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home, 105 4th Street SW, Altoona.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in memory of Bill.
Condolences may be left online at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com.
Melissa Clayton
02/20/2014
So sorry for your loss Natalie and family. I was driven in a parade by Bill in high school- in a corvette of course! Remember sitting on the T-tops and feeling a little scared but Bill put me right at ease. Prayers to you at your time of loss and thinking of you.
Joetta, Janice & Jeanene Graven
02/20/2014
Janis - Our condolences to you and the family. We remember our summer trips to Iowa and spending fun times with our cousins. And later seeing you and Bill at the family reunions in Mitchellville. You are in our thoughts.
mike Harmison
02/19/2014
I am sorry to hear about Bill passing. He was a good friend all the way back from when my dad had the station in Colfax. To when I had Bill work on my cars and helping me work on my Peterbilt. He will always be in my memories.
Jan (Garrett) Adair "Class of 62"
02/19/2014
I was so sorry to hear that Bill had passed away. I can remember him with fondness, as I dated Bill for a little while in high school, and last heard from him about 20 years ago, asking for a date! He was a kind, and gentle guy, but my parents shuddered when they saw that red Chevy roar out of the drive! I can remember when his daughter, Natalie, was born, and he was so proud. Bill was such a good guy, genuine, talented, and fun. May he now be in peace.
Tom Brady "Class of 62"
02/19/2014
I was saddened to hear of Bill's passing. Not only have we lost another classmate, but it can't help but remind me of my on mortality since we were the same age.(almost) Although it has been 25 years or so since I had seen him, I would have certainly come to the memorial if I could. Unfortunately, I'm in Texas avoiding the weather. To be honest, I always figured that Bill would die in a car wreck, but perhaps he had mellowed over the years as some of us seasoned citizens do? That thought reminds me of a story from our misspent youth. One night when we were still in high school, Bill and I were both picked up for drag racing in Altoona. The race itself was a joke. Bill was driving his hopped up 55 Chevy and I was driving my brother's 60 Triumph TR3. All I saw was his tail lights. We didn't get tickets though. Perhaps the cops saw the humor in the situation. Besides his mechanical aptitude, Bill was always more physically mature than the typical high school kid. He actually had to shave! ( I shaved in high school too, probably about twice in 4 years ) What I'm leading up to is another story, also in high school. One night Bill and I were preparing to go to a halloween party. Bill had decided to go as a beatnick. You know what they are, right? Beatnicks were known for having facial hair so Bill hadn't shaved for I don't know how long. He wasn't satisfied with the result. He only had about 1/4 inch of growth, and that was only on his chin so he drew on some extras and darkened what he had with an eyebrow pencil. I was still jealous though. I would have had to draw all mine on. Hope you enjoyed the stories. They're as true as my fading memory permits. Sorry I can't be there, and sorry for your loss.
Linda Hulett
02/18/2014
Mary and Christina, I am so very sorry for your loss. I just can't guess what it would be like since I am only 71 and pray that I
live a much longer healthy life..