William H. Douglas

William H. Douglas, 83, died Thursday, December 17, 2009 following a heart attack. His body was donated to Des Moines University. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at Central Presbyterian Church, 3829 Grand Avenue in Des Moines.

Bill was born November 21, 1926 to Alan and Edith Philleo Douglas in Endicott, NY. He graduated from Troy High School, PA, Bucknell University, and Pittsburgh Xenia Seminary. He served in the Army Air Corps during WWII.

Bill worked as an electrical engineer, a Presbyterian minister and missionary, and a computer technician. His pastorates were in Mutum, Mato Grosso, Brazil; El Paso, TX; and Gibson, White Oak, and Albia, IA.

Bill was a pilot and soaring enthusiast. He had a love of music and sang for years in the First Presbyterian Church Choir in Arlington, TX and the Arlington Choral Society. In his retirement, he took up piano tuning. His mother had been a Latin teacher and he had a love of words. Though diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, he continued his collection of homonyms.

William is survived by his wife, Nancy Douglas; children, Bill R. of Des Moines, Sue (Dave) Feltman of Waterloo, and Andy of Iowa City; siblings, David, Robert, John, Gladys, Elaine, Margaret Bennett, and Mary Abu-Shumays; and grandchildren, Peter Feltman, Sarah (Trey) Hegar and Rachel Feltman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the family or a to an organization of your choice.

Print