Colvin, William R .

William (Bill) Robert Colvin 81, of Monmouth died at 3 pm on Sunday October 4, 2009 at home. 
He was born on April 2, 1928 in Keokuk, IA, to William Robert and Mary Elizabeth (Wolf) Colvin Sr..  He was raised and educated in Keokuk IA, where as a young man, he worked along side his father in their family owned Shoe Repair store.  He graduated from Keokuk High School in 1946. 
He enlisted in the Army in September 1946 and was inducted at Fort Snelling Minnesota.  Following basic training he was sent to Japan on December 5, 1946.  He served his time in the Korean War on the infamous 38th parallel.  He was assigned to the 35th Infantry Regiment 25th division on 8th Army.  He also served the Iowa Army Reserves.           He was wounded twice during the war and received two Purple Heart Medals.  He also received “The Marksmen Badge, Good Conduct Badge, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and Korean Service Medal.  He was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal. 
Bill married Wanda Mae Evans in Keokuk, IA on June 7, 1953 and she survives. 
He was an Auto Body Repair Man for 50 years. He moved his family to Monmouth in 1966, he was the Shop Manager for Ray Green Chevrolet.  Then he was the Auto Body Shop Manager for Louis Lakis Ford for several more years, until he retired in 1993.  After retirement he worked for Dan Porter’s Body Shop.  He had numerous hobbies.  He loved to Golf; it was a passion of his.  He enjoyed reading books, the more the better.  He was beyond talented in wood scrollwork and woodworking.  One of his ‘wood project signs’ was for the “Pioneer Cemetery” in Monmouth.  
He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Lions Club, and the Elks club where he served as the Exalted Ruler.  He was a member of the Gerlaw Christian Church and was tremendously instrumental in the designing and building the cupboards, archway window and personalized scrollwork’s for the newly dedicated Fellowship Hall at Gerlaw Christian Church.  Bill was so loved by his family and friends.   The loss of our dear beloved Dad will be such an enormous void in our lives
He is survived by his wife, their four children, Debbie Babb of Galesburg, IL; Tammie (David) Snider of Canton, IL; Cala Earp and Billy Colvin of Monmouth, IL.  Nine grandchildren, and one great-grand son; one sister Judy (Bob) Boyer of CO; along with three nieces and eight nephews.
            He is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and two brother-in-laws; Mary Margaret (Colvin) (Frank) Peterson and Laurie (Colvin) (R.V.-Swede) Henriksen, and one brother John Colvin.              Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M.Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at the Gerlaw Christian Church, Gerlaw, IL with Pastor Paul Lydic officiating.  Burial will be in the Keokuk National Cemetery, Keokuk, IA.  Friends may call Tuesday at Hoover-Hall Memorial Chapel, Monmouth where his family will be present from 5:00-7:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established to be designated later. Online condolences may be left at hooverhall.com

Online condolences may left at hooverhall.com.