William Stuart

William Avery "Bill" Stuart, 83, of Creston passed away Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. A Memorial service will be held at a later date. Pearson Family Funeral Service and Cremation Center will be in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be directed to The William A. Stuart Memorial Fund, to be established. Memories may be shared at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

Bill was born Dec. 30, 1936, in Lenox to Avery Stuart and Alma (Johnston). The oldest of four children, he was raised in Lenox and went to Lenox schools.

On June 9, 1956, Bill married Dorothy Marie Graham in Creston. The couple resided in Creston where they raised their four children.

Bill was a hard worker in pursuit of his American dream. He started out working as manager of Mobile Gas Station, followed by a job at Purolator, and then at Goodyear as a service manager before starting his own business in 1971 as Bill’s Used Cars. He sold cars in the front yard and worked on cars in the garage next to the house, as Dorothy kept the books and transferred titles at the kitchen table. Bill’s dream grew as his sons, Billy and Tony and later grandson, Jade, joined the family business — now called Hi-Crest Auto. He loved his work and continued working as much as he could until just recently.

Bill had a passion for cars. He enjoyed racing and collecting cars and taking motorcycle trips with Dorothy and friends. He took several trips in recent years with his oldest son Mike. He also loved bowling and continued to bowl up until a year ago. Bill was a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and attended games whenever he could. Bill had many customers that became good friends and he looked forward to getting up to visit and work with people every day. Most of all, Bill loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed his grandkids and attended anything they were involved in.

Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dorothy of Creston; his four children: Mike of Thayer, Billy (Shelley) of Creston, Tony of Creston, Lisa (Gary) Sorenson of Johnston; his sister Janice Shepherd; brother-in-law Richard (Jeannie) Graham; grandchildren: Maggie Stuart, Jade (Tammy) Stuart, Stoney Stuart, Kasey (Matt) Rehmeyer, Teagan (Ryan) Gordan, Kiana Stuart and Natalie, Ellie, Rubie Goodman and Isaac Sorenson; great-grandchildren: Tyson and Will Stuart, Peyton, Jake and Johnny Gordon, Rylie Rehmeyer, Avery Stuart; several nieces, nephews, many extended family members and dear friends.

Bill was just eight years old when his father (Avery) was killed in World War II. Also preceding him in death was his mother, Alma Smith; stepfather, Orville “Tarzan” Smith; brothers, Bob Stuart and George Ahnen; son-in-law Jim Goodman; father and mother-in-law Earl and Margret Graham and nephew Eric Shepherd.