Lifelong welder William “Bill” Liston, 84, passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
A public visitation will be held at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home and Crematory at 1721 Park St. in Perry on Sunday, July 28 from 3-5:30 p.m., with a Masonic service starting at 5:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at First Christian Church at 1224 Lucinda St. in Perry at 10 a.m. Monday, July 29. Interment will follow at the Violet Hill Cemetery at 1700 Park St. in Perry, Iowa.
William Wayne Liston was born March 23, 1940, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Walter Wayne and Winifred Arlene Capp Liston. The family grew with the addition of brother, Charles Bernard, on May 31, 1943.
Bill loved growing up on the farm, loved choring, riding his horse and being outdoors.
He graduated from Washington Township School with the class of 1958.
He joined the National Guard in 1960 and served six years.
Bill met Karen Newton on a blind date in June 1961. They married in November 1963 and were married for 60 1/2 years. They had two sons, William Wade and Scott Kipton.
Bill started farming with his dad after graduation. He then opened his welding shop in 1984 and his retail Carhartt store in 1985.
He was a 50-year member of Otley Masonic Lodge #299-Perry, The Za Ga Zig Shrine in Des Moines, the Perry Elks Club and was a member of the Black Smith Association since 1984.
Bill loved jokes, telling them, hearing them, playing them on people. He loved ’50s music — KIOA, dancing to the best music ever, Glenn Miller and “In the Mood.”
He loved his welding shop and farming, raising cattle and hogs and his classic cars. Especially the “59” Ford Galaxie Convertible.
Bill loved his wife, his family, his country, and was a proud Mason and veteran.
He is survived by his wife, Karen; two sons, Wade (Audrey) Wyatt of Hougton, Michigan, and Kip (Melissa) of Beaverdale; grandchildren, Kaaren and Mason; brother, Charles (Linda) Liston; nieces; nephews; cousins; and many, many friends.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Bill’s name for a welding scholarship at VanKirk DMACC.
As Bill always said, “HAVE A ROTTEN DAY.”
