William "Bill" Staples

William “Bill” Staples

Sheldon, Iowa

            Services for William “Bill” Staples, age 84, of Sheldon who passed away on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at the Veteran’s Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Services will be announced at a later date.

With Military graveside services by McGlothlen-Cowie Post #145 of the Sheldon American Legion.

            Arrangements are under the care of the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.

     William “Bill” Earl Staples was born August 15, 1938 to Clifford and Ethel Staples. He lived the farm life until the age of 19 when he joined the Air Force and started a life of world travel. He went to Bermuda, The Azores, Canada, England, Vietnam, Panama and other places stateside. He retired from the military in 1977 as a Master Sergeant in Fire Protection. While stationed in Canada, Bill met Flora Holwell and they married in 1960. They were together for 59 years before her passing.

       Bill enjoyed traveling, trivia and computer games. He watched westerns and Jeopardy on T.V. and was an avid reader he could easily read 10 books a week. His favorite was a collection of Louis L’Amour books. He also enjoyed fishing, including deep sea fishing while stationed in Panama.

       In later years he enjoyed road trips to Sioux Falls to his appointments, listening to “Willies Road House” on the radio and singing along. On the way home he looked forward to a visit to the casino. Bill always enjoyed visiting with people where ever he went.

       He was a part time mechanic and liked to tinker with small projects. After 22 years in the Military, he and his family moved to Sheldon, Iowa. Bill took several college courses and drove long haul for various trucking companies. In addition he drove for Data Dimensions, Sheldon Auto Parts and worked in the Maintenance Department at Northwest Iowa Health Center.

        Bill is survived by three children; Barry W. Staples (Claudia), Elaina Long (Allen) all of Sheldon, Iowa and Philip Staples of Brewer, Maine; 9 Grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one brother Raymond “Butch” Staples (Colene) of Granbury, Texas, and other relatives and friends.

        He was preceded in death by his parents Clifford and Ethel Staples, and 9 siblings; Don Potts, Kenneth Potts, Clara McCoy, Donna Hunt, Grace Weaver, Clifford Staples Jr., Roy Staples and Charles Staples.