Cover photo for William "Bill" Bemis's Obituary
William "Bill" Bemis Profile Photo
1944 Bill 2025

William "Bill" Bemis

May 16, 1944 — May 9, 2025

Grand River

William Edward Bemis, 80, passed away at his home in Grand River, Iowa in the early morning hours on May 9, 2025. Bill was born on May 16, 1944, in Des Moines, Iowa to Harold and Mabel Bemis. He graduated from Des Moines Technical High School in 1962. After high school Bill hung drywall and then became a supervisor for Ralston Purina in Davenport, Iowa for many years. During that time, he and his former wife had 4 children; Chris, Kelli, Kim and Kirk.

In 1978 Bill moved his family to Corning, Iowa where he purchased the Wayne Feed Store. In 1981, he closed the business and continued his career in sales, working many years for Motorola Communications. In 1987, Bill was Iowa Salesman of the Year.

In 1984, Bill married the love of his life, Bonnie and they were married for 41 years until his passing. In 1990, Bill and Bonnie moved to Reno, NV where he continued his career in sales in the communications industry and then as finance manager for Mercedes Benz and Porche. In 2003, they moved to Las Vegas, NV where Bill opened a successful window covering business, Bill’s Custom Blinds. In 2015 Bill and Bonnie settled back in Iowa to be closer to family. Bill retired full time in 2019 to enjoy his life with Bonnie on their acreage near Grand River, Iowa.

During his years in Corning, Bill enjoyed being involved with the Adams County Speedway as the announcer and as Pit Steward. Bill enjoyed watching Nascar racing, football and generally all sports. He was an avid Steeler, Iowa Hawkeye and Kyle Busch Fan. He also enjoyed his large collection of Coca Cola memorabilia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Mabel Bemis; his brothers: Junior, Bob and Don; sisters: Jeanette, Patti, Margaret and Carole (Wendell) Flanders; in-laws: Jack and Luella Johnson, Louis DuChene Sr., Louis DuChene Jr, Beverly and Art Ruud, Ardel Anderson and David Johnson.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; sons: Chris (Jill) Bemis and Kirk Bemis; daughters: Kelli Bemis and Kim Wilkinson (John Hogan Jr.); stepsons: Eric (Amy) Freeman and Kyle Freeman; sisters-in-law: Brenda Bemis and Joni Bemis; also, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William "Bill" Bemis, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Today's Services

Family Receiving Friends

Thursday, May 22, 2025

1:00 - 2:00 pm (Central time)

Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center - Corning

701 7th St, Corning, IA 50841

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Memorial Service

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Starts at 2:30 pm (Central time)

Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center - Corning

701 7th St, Corning, IA 50841

Memorials may be directed to the family, to be determined

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Burial

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree