Bill Dale Belzer, 86 of Mt. Ayer, Iowa, formerly of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Friday, January 31, 2020 at the Mount Ayr Health Care.
Bill Dale Belzer, son of Thomas A. & Alice F. (Adair) Belzer, was born August 25, 1933 at Avery, Iowa. Bill grew up at Albia, Iowa and he graduated with the Albia High School class of 1951.
Bill was drafted into the US Army during the time of the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, Bill went to college; beginning at William Penn University, later transferring to, and graduated from, Northeast Missouri State Teachers College.
Bill was united in marriage to Bonnie Lee Wren in September 1956. To this marriage was born three children: Thomas Allen, Richard Dale, and Merili Roxanne. Bonnie passed away in October 1964. On August 25, 1966, Bill was united in marriage to Clara Nilene Weimer. To this marriage was born three children: Nial Bill, Nileta Marie, and Alice Melissa.
Bill lived most all of his adult life near Kirksville, MO. He worked at various jobs before starting Belzer Excavating. He owned and operated this business for many years.
Bill loved history. He was an avid reader and his interest in history extended to his love of antiques. Bill loved all things antique: cars, guns, farm equipment. Bill was an artist with metal and welding. He created several pieces of art. A notable creation of his was an incorporation of metal, welding and history when he made a map of the United States; complete with color coordinating time frames of the original 13 colonies, the Louisiana Purchase and all of the additions that made up the United States of America.
Bill’s health declined and he became of resident of the Mount Ayr Health Care Center in Mount Ayr, Iowa. He passed away in the early morning hours of January 31, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents; both wives; son-in-law Michael Eugene Jones; and 2 brothers Walter & Vernon Belzer.
Those left to cherish his memory include his children Tom (Sherry) Belzer of Oskaloosa, IA, Rick Belzer of Kirksville, MO, Merrili Jones of Kirksville, MO, Nial (Barbie) Belzer of Mount Ayr, IA, Nileta (Troy) Fruge of Lafayette, LA, and Missy (Alan) Qualls of Baxter Springs, KS; 5 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, 2 step-great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Mary Weimer & Phyllis Belzer; cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held at the Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, MO on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A graveside service and burial will take place at a later date. A memorial fund has been established in his name to be decided later. Cremation services have been provided by Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa.