Memorial

William James McCracken, 70, of Cedar Rapids, died November 11, 2007 in his home following a long illness with cancer. Funeral Mass: 10:30 AM, Friday, November 16, 2007 at All Saints Catholic Church. Rev. Gerald Condon will officiate, with Rev. Dr. Herbert Isenberg of Westminster Presbyterian Church co-officiating. Friends may call from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, November 15, 2007, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Interment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife Judy; daughters Melissa McCracken of Phoenix, AZ, and Amy Bemus and husband Dr. Scott Bemus of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren Jacob and Claire Bemus of Cedar Rapids; his father James J. McCracken; brother Robert McCracken and wife Nancy of Cedar Rapids; sister Nancy Mulherin and husband Michael of Marion; and sister in law Barbara Pavan and husband Robert of Valley Forge, PA, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother Alice McCracken, and his sister Joan Heald.

William James McCracken was born July 23, 1937 at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids the beloved son of James J. and Alice Donohoe McCracken. He was a 1955 graduate of Franklin High School, and a 1960 graduate from Coe College. He served his country honorably in the United States Air Force achieving the rank of Captain. He was united in marriage to Judith Nelson on November 26, 1966 at St. Mary's Church in Rahway, New Jersey. He was employed for 42 years in the investment industry, completing his career with Wachovia Securities as Senior Vice President. Bill enjoyed helping his clients with their financial security, and through his work he made many close friends.

He was a member of the Thursday Noon Optimist Club having served as president, Eastern Iowa Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Coe College Alumni Association, Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, and Elmcrest Country Club. Bill greatly enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing golf and tennis, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes at basketball games and wrestling matches, attending Cedar Rapids Kernels Baseball games, traveling with his family, and his time spent with his two beloved grandchildren Jacob and Claire. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend to many and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him dearly.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Coe College Scholarship Fund in Bill's name.

The family wishes to thank his Wachovia family, Dr. Ghosh and his staff, and the staff of St. Luke's Hospice for their loving care of Bill.