William "Bill" Pedrick

The music in Heaven just got sweeter as Bill Pedrick went home to be with his Lord, Jesus Christ, on January 25, 2018. While Bill was dealing with cancer, it was an aggressive pneumonia that took his life at the age of 71. Visitation will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines on Thursday, February 1, 2018 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. The funeral service will be Friday, February 2, 2018 at Meredith Drive Reformed Church, 5128 Meredith Drive, Des Moines, Iowa at 11:00 am.

Bill was born on September 27, 1946, the son of William and Grace Pedrick. He spent his childhood in Palmetto, Fl. His mother started him playing the piano at the age of two and by the time he was 8, he was playing church services. His father was a lay pastor so if the church doors were open, Bill was there.

It was life that Bill loved, but he never took it too seriously. He always looked for the best in each day. He loved all forms of music and his music defined him. It was his joy to use music to serve his Lord, to change lives and share the hope and good news of Jesus Christ. This is not to say he wouldn’t “rock out” on the keyboard when the opportunity presented itself. There wasn’t a rehearsal, church service or performance that he would miss.

Apart from music, he loved his first wife, Alicia. They were married 20 years and together they had two beautiful daughters, Kirstan and Jena, of whom he was and is so proud of. He was blessed to be their father and cherished every moment he spent with them. He also loved Debbie, his second wife of 26 years. The Lord brought Bill and Debbie together and they shared a true partnership each day, as they travelled and served the Lord.

He had many accomplishments in his youth because of his ability to play keyboard. He continued to pursue music and obtained his Masters in Organ Performance from Florida State University. He began his professional career playing at Disney World when it first opened and was part of the Baptist Singing Men’s group. He was Minister of Music and youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Kissimmee. He later went on to be an international artist for Baldwin Piano and Organ Company. When his employment with Baldwin ended due to Chapter 11, Bill moved to Des Moines and went to work for Critchett Piano and Organ Company and was there for 30 years. Critchett”s was very involved with the Iowa State Fair and Bill played at the Critchett’s booth in the Varied Industries Building every day of the fair for all of those years. While at Critchett’s he developed the Lowrey Organ Program that helped many senior adults find their love of music. He ended his career selling pianos, organs and keyboards for West Music.

Bill was also the organist and a choir director at First Federated Church for 25 years. There were no stops on the opening up that Allen organ and filling the auditorium with his glorious music. While at Federated, he had the privilege of working with Simon Estes arranging musical pieces for Simon, who performed them while Bill accompanied him on the organ. Together they developed 2 CD’s. Also through Federated, Bill and Debbie took mission trips to Russia and Australia. His music truly spanned the globe. Later Bill and Debbie joined Meredith Drive Reformed church and Bill’s music continued to live on.

Bill loved to mentor others through music. There are so many children that were touched and pursued music because of him. He never tired of being there for a rehearsal or performance.
As a young man, the combination of Bill, a guitar and a bunch of teenagers resulted in music, laughter and praise to the Lord. Lives were changed during those sessions. At Federated, Bill would be known for going down to the “back door” where the youth group hung out and he would just “jam” with them and their music. His energy to help others through music continued throughout his life.

The one thing that Bill did take seriously was a Sunday morning service. He would do what it took musically to bring a congregation to the throne of God and to set up the service for the pastor to deliver the Lords message. Bill loved the Lord and he used his wonderful gift of music to honor and glorify Jesus.

Bill is survived by his wife, Debbie and his previous wife, Alicia; his daughters, Kirstan and Jena (Jose); and three grandchildren, Ethan, Mario and Marina. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Grace Pedrick.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Meredith Drive Reformed Church or John Stoddard Cancer Center. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralhome.com.

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