William Bill Ashman

August 7, 1927 - August 25, 2017

William “Bill” Ashman, IV, 90, of Oskaloosa died Friday, August 25, 2017, at the Oskaloosa Care Center in Oskaloosa. He was born August 7, 1927, in Oskaloosa, the son of William G. and Ethel Foster Ashman, III. He graduated from Cedar High School with the class of 1945. Following school, Bill served in the U.S. Army from 1945 – 1947. Upon his honorable discharge, Bill moved back to Cedar. On June 6, 1948, he was united in marriage to Leona Witt at Cedar, Iowa. Leona died March 19, 2010. Following marriage, Bill and Leona moved to Chicago where he attended college for electronics. Upon completing his schooling, they returned to Iowa and Bill went to work for Brown’s Electronics in Ottumwa. He did electrical work and worked on T.V.’s. Bill later opened Cedar Electric in Cedar, he owned and operated that business until the late 70’s. He then opened Bill’s Auto Sales where he repaired and sold cars until going to work at Thomas Electric in Oskaloosa. He was a member of the Cedar United Methodist Church and the Oskaloosa American Legion. Bill enjoyed fishing, boating, camping with his family. He enjoyed traveling with Leona to their time shares in Florida, Texas and to their cabin at Lake Rathbun. He also enjoyed collecting Wade and Occupied Japan figurines and dishes, going to flea markets, and watching westerns. His family includes a son: William “George” (& Shirley) Ashman,V, of Oskaloosa; two daughters: Jeri (& Gary) Kelderman of Oskaloosa and Debra Adams of New London; three grandchildren: Shawna Besco, Derek Ashman, and Melissa Mixer; 6 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife Leona, Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his step mother, Minnie; a grandson, Clint Ashman; a son in law, Dennis Adams; a sister, Wilda Current; and three brothers, Brice, Robert, Gordon Ashman. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 29, 2017, at 1:30 P.M. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend Bob Voels officiating. Graveside Military Honors will be given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion and V.F.W. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Monday after 4 p.m. and continue until 7 Monday evening. The family will be at the funeral chapel from 11 A.M. until service time at 1:30 P.M. on Tuesday to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Cedar United Methodist Church.