Memorial
Billy R. Utt, passed away at St. Luke’s Hospital’s Ed and Joan Hemphill Hospice Unit in Cedar Rapids on May 19, 2017, following complications from injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident.
Bill was born July 16, 1928, son of Thomas F. and Blanche Bullock Utt, at the family home in Savannah, Iowa. The family moved to What Cheer, Iowa in 1930. He attended What Cheer schools, graduating from What Cheer High School on May 17, 1947. His 70th class reunion would have been this year.
Bill enlisted in the United States navy in October 1948. He served at the San Diego Naval Air Station. He was honorably discharged in October 1952.
Bill met Mary Louise Chandler, the love of his life, during their high school years. They were married September 11, 1951. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in September 2016. They resided in San Diego during the first year of their marriage while Bill completed his enlistment.
He worked for 38 years at LeFebure Corporation, in Cedar Rapids, as a metal fabricator. He served as a Foreman for 20 years. For many years he enjoyed attending LeFebure Retiree breakfasts.
He was an active volunteer and contributed to the community and family in many ways. He served as Assistant Boy Scout Leader and both of his sons achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He was an active participant in the Cedar Rapids Jefferson Athletic Booster club for more than 20 years, from the 1960’s through the 1980’s. He was active in the fundraising efforts of the Booster club, participating in the management of the concession stands at Kingston Stadium and at both indoor and outdoor events held at the school. He was inducted into the Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School Athletic Boosters Hall of Fame on February 13, 2004.
Bill was also a very active member of the Elks Grand Lodge No. 251 in Cedar Rapids and was Exalted Ruler in 2000. He received many other honors as an active elks member, including Officer of the Year in 2006-2007 and Elk of the Year in 2013-2014. He was elected to the Office of Esteemed Lecturing Knight in 2007, Esteemed Loyal Knight in 2008, Esteemed Leading Knight in 2009, Exalted Ruler in 2000 and served as a Trustee in 2001 and as Lodge Treasurer from 2002-2011. He attended six Grand Lodge conventions in addition to other state and local Elk activities.
Bill will be remembered for his strong sense of loyalty; to the United States through his Naval service, his sports teams – the Jefferson J-Hawks, the Iowa Hawkeyes, and the New York Yankees – and to his family.
Bill and Mary owned a cabin on the Cedar River for many years. The cabin was the location for yearly family reunions. All of the children attending those reunions looked forward to the “tractor rides” he offered. It was a lawn tractor and a small wagon. It is likely that he looked forward to and enjoyed it every bit as much as the children. The grandchildren spent time with Bill and Mary each summer when they were young, and looked forward to time at the cabin.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Tommy and Blanche Utt, sisters Betty Whitaker and Marilyn Middleton, and brother Richard D. Utt.
Bill is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary. He is also survived by his four children, Marilyn Louise (Richard) Hay of Columbia, Missouri; Pamela (Craig) Nelson of Ankeny, Iowa; Thomas (Amy) Utt of Chesapeake, Virginia, and Terry (Gail) Utt of Solon, Iowa. There are 10 grandchildren, Robyn (Jason Skarr) Hay of Sumner, Iowa; Allison Hay of Des Moines, Iowa, Andrea (Mitchell) Madurski of Reston, Virginia, Merideth Hay of Ankeny, Iowa, Evan Hay of Chicago, Illinois, Lisa (Chad) Ellerbusch of Grimes, Iowa, Lindsay (Michael) Stecker of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Britany Utt of Norfolk, Virginia, Kristopher Utt of Washington, D. C., and Erik (Mary Ellen) Utt of Norfolk, Virginia. There are six great-granchildren, Cade Niblo of Waukee, Iowa, Jarrod and Ashlyn Ellerbusch of Grimes, Iowa, Ava Skarr of Sumner, Iowa, and Noah and Owen Utt of Norfolk, Virginia.
Visitation will be held on Monday, May 22, from 4 PM to 7 PM at the Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel. Services will be held on Tuesday, May 23 at 1 PM at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, 4200 1st Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids. Burial will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials contributions may be made to the Cedar Rapids Jefferson Athletic Booster Club.