William R. "Bill" Jensen

William R. “Bill” Jensen, 84, passed away on January 5, 2016 at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines. Visitation will be held Friday, January 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. with a Masonic Service following at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA. The funeral service will be held Saturday, January 9 at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 3010 52nd Street in Des Moines. Burial will be at the Masonic Cemetery in Des Moines.

Bill was a lifelong resident of Des Moines, born on March 15, 1931, son of Niels and Edith (Olsen) Jensen. Bill’s parents immigrated to the United States from Denmark. Bill grew up in Lee Township and was a proud graduate of Des Moines East High School, Class of 1949. On April 1, 1949 Bill started his career at Crescent Chevrolet as a car jockey. He entered General Motors Institute of Technology in Flint, Michigan in 1950, eventually graduating after serving in the United States Air Force. Bill returned to Des Moines with his wife Joann where he resumed his career at Crescent Chevrolet assuming ownership in 1980 until his retirement in 2007 after selling the business. Bill also co-owned Jensen Auto Center in Pella until its sale in 2007.

Bill was very active in his industry and community, a born leader with a generous heart. He was an active member at Grace Lutheran Church, Za-Ga-Zig Shrine where he was a Past Potentate, Home Masonic Lodge, Acanthus Masonic Lodge, High Twelve, York Rite Bodies, Scottish Rite, 32nd Degree KCCH, Royal Order of Jesters where he was a Past Director, Danish Brotherhood Lodge 15 where he was Past President, Iowa Automobile Dealers Association, Rotary Club of Des Moines (B.B.O.R.) and Do Something Different Once a Month Club. He was also a former long-time member of Hyperion Country Club. Bill was the 2003 Time Magazine Iowa Automobile Dealer of the Year, 2002 inductee into the East High School Hall of Fame, Past President of the East High School Alumni Association and East High School Alumni Foundation.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joann; children, Sherrie (Steve) Richey, Bill Jr. (Marti) Jensen, Julie (Dennis) McGowan and Jim (Amy) Jensen; grandchildren, Jess (Carla) Richey, Laura Jensen, David Richey, Scott Jensen, Kevin McGowan, Emily McGowan, Erica Jensen, Anders Jensen, Dane Jensen and Roy Jensen; great-grandchildren, Kaisa, JJ, Zander and Roman Richey. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ruth Gladstone; brother, Niels Jensen, Jr.; step-mother, Myrtle Jensen; and step-sister, Ella Mae Estrem.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Shriners Hospital or to the East High Alumni Association. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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