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Obit of Bill Paxson

Obit of Bill Paxson

Posted: 2 Dec 2014 10:20PM GMT
Classification: Obituary
Surnames: Paxson, Cornell, Coughlin, Dettie
Des Moines Register
Des Moines, IA

October 18, 2014

Bill Paxson(1920 - 2014)


West Des Moines

Bill Paxson, 94, of West Des Moines, formerly of Ottumwa, died at 8:40 p.m. October 16, 2014 at Kavanagh House in Des Moines.

He was born August 5, 1920 in Sioux Falls, SD to Earl and Harriett Cornell Paxson. He married Patricia Coughlin and she preceded him in death on August 2, 2002.

Bill attended the University of South Dakota and graduated from the University of Iowa. A World War IIveteran, he was U.S. Army officer serving in the China-Burma-India Theater. He also served during the Korean War. In post- WWII, he was with the U.S. State Department helping with refugees of World War II.

Bill and Patty lived in Ottumwa from 1957 to 1989 where he was a Bankers Life Insurance agent for over 20 years. He retired to Peoria, AZ for 15 years, and had lived the past 10 years in West Des Moines.

Bill was known by all as a humble and sweet-natured man, whose greatest joy was the happiness of his family. He was a devoted husband, and loving father, grandfather and uncle.

Surviving are two sons, Patrick Robert Paxson of West Des Moines and Bill (Chris) Paxson of Des Moines; two granddaughters, Ellie and Tess.

He was preceded in death by two sons, John Paxson and Thomas Paxson; a brother, Robert Paxson and a sister, Ruth Detlie.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Reece Funeral Home in Ottumwa with Father James Betzen CPPS officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Ottumwa.

Visitation begins at 10 a.m. Sunday with the family present from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kavanagh House, 900 56th St., Des Moines, IA 50312
Funeral Home
Reece Funeral Home
607 E 2nd St Ottumwa, IA 52501
641-682-4509
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