John William (Bill) Drummond

John gained his hope to be with Jesus, and a far better life, on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at the age of 99. He was born in Jamesport, Missouri, in 1921 and was the son of Harry and Ocie Drummond. They were a farm family. John gave his heart to Christ in 1949.

John finished high school and migrated to Iowa to farm and do construction work. He enlisted in the Horse Cavalry one week after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

John found more than work in Iowa. At a roller skating rink, he met the beautiful young lady whom God had chosen for him. They were united in marriage May 24, 1942. Doris White, of Polk City, became Mrs. John Drummond!

Meanwhile, John had worked his way up to commissioned officer status and was transferred to the United States Army Air Corps to receive pilot training. He was a happy man the day he was certified as a qualified heavy bomber pilot. Ready to go overseas, John was saddened to receive the news that his training squadron commanding officer had issued orders that he remain in Ft. Worth, Texas. John served as a B-24 Liberator pilot instructor “for the duration” of WWII.

After the war, John returned to Iowa to farm and work in custom home construction. In 1963, the state architect of Iowa asked John to be the project manager for capital improvement projects at the Iowa state capitol in Des Moines. In 1971, he was appointed Iowa capitol’s Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds. This was to be the most challenging and rewarding job of John’s career. He was very proud of the level of care he was allowed to maintain at our capitol complex. John became friends with Jerry Miller, a true artist, who became his restoration painter and set up an ongoing program of discovery and restoration. In John’s position as superintendent, he was closely involved in phase I of the total restoration of the capitol building. John retired in 1986 with a record of 15 years in that position, which far exceeds any former superintendent.

John always felt richly blessed by God for his family; two sons, a daughter and his wife of 78 years. He especially cherished the memories of all the dear friends and Pastor Arthur Olson who influenced his decision for Christ!

He is survived by his loving wife, Doris; 2 sons, Michael (Carolyn) Drummond and Jerry (Jan) Drummond; a daughter, Roxanna (Gene) DeMoss; 6 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Helen Murphy of Ankeny. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Ocie Drummond; and his brothers, Lee, Charles, Leonard, Robert, and Marvin Drummond.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 16, 2020, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave. in Des Moines, with visitation held one hour prior to the service. A private graveside service will occur on Saturday, October 17, at Union Cemetery in Polk City.

In loving memory of John, memorial contributions may be directed to Hidden Acres Christian Center, 3837 Union Ave., Dayton, Iowa, 50530 or to Hope Ministries, 6701 SW 9th St, Des Moines, Iowa, 50315.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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