William H. "Bill" Cansdale
August 16, 2010
William H. “Bill” Cansdale, Jr., 84, passed away Monday, August 16, 2010 at Mercy Hospital after a courageous battle with bladder cancer.
Bill graduated from North High in Des Moines. He proudly served in the United States Navy and was a WWII veteran. Bill married Vera Jean Ferger on June 20, 1947 and they have been life long residents of Des Moines. Bill and Vera owned Southtown Tap for 23 years retiring in 1991. Bill enjoyed reminiscing, had a sharp memory, a great sense of humor, and a big heart that cared for others. He was an avid cribbage player and enjoyed matching wits with the contestants on Jeopardy. Bill loved spending time with his family.
Bill’s family includes his wife of 63 years, Vera; daughter, Mary (Mark) Mendenhall-Core of Pella; son, William H. “Skip” (Roseann) Cansdale, III of Fayettesville, NC; sister, Geneva Gilbert; grandchildren, Kristine (Bryan) Bennett, Erin Mendenhall and Brian Mendenhall; great-grandchildren, Kayla Bennett, and Bryan Bennett, Jr. He was preceded in death by his daughter Claudia.
Visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, August 19, 2010 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street. A private family burial will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society-Central Iowa Chapter or Make-A-Wish Foundation of Iowa in honor of Erin Mendenhall.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Bill’s Mercy Court friends, and his caregivers at Mercy Medical Center.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Bill & Joan Knight
08/20/2010
Our condolences go out to you Vera, Skip, and Mary. It's been a long time since we have been your old neighbors on Geil. Our Lois was a very good friend of Claudia. I hope you are getting along fine. Bill and Sue live in Amarillo Tx. now. It was so good to read that you also had celebrated your 63rd Anniversary as did we in April. We have lived in Danbury Wi. now since 1983 when Bill retired from Meredith. I hope Bill's illness was not a long one. I wish we could have written under more better circumstances.
Again our deepest sympathy goes out to you all.
Bill and Joan
34343 McGraw Lake Rd
Danbury, Wi. 54830
Ph 715-244-300
Lois Eddis (Knight)
08/19/2010
Vera I was informed by mom, who is always looking at the Des Moines Register and the obits, about Bill. I'm so sorry for your loss. He was like a second father in my younger years when we were always at your house. I remember once when I spent the night and I made a cake. I think it was Claudia's birthday but not sure. Anyway the frosting was chocolate and I made it with coffee and he loved it because it was. I hope you are well and Skip and Mary. It's hard to believe the years have gone by so quickly. Mom and dad live in Danbury WI and I live in Prior Lake MN with my husband and my youngest girl. My two oldest kids live in DM yet. Take care and I'm thinking of you with all my heart. Claudia will now have company.
Marv & Deb Seals
08/19/2010
Vera, Skip & Mary,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Heaven will now be blessed with a wonderful guy!
Becky Dotts
08/18/2010
Dear Miss Mary,
Our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family. This is such a difficult time. Please know that God will be with you, your mother, and the rest of your family.
We love you,
Becky Dotts, for all