William Bickford

 William R. “Bill” Bickford, 92, Faribault, Minn., formerly of Clear Lake, died Thursday, June 5, 2014 at the Homestead Hospice in Owatonna, Minn.
A funeral service was held on Tuesday, June 10, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with Rev. Dennis Ganz officiating, followed by a Masonic Service. Interment was at Memorial Park Cemetery. Military Honors were presented by the Clear Lake V.F.W. Memorials may be given to the charity of your choice.

      Bill was born Oct. 4, 1921 in Mason City, the son of William M. and Eva (Carman) Bickford. He attended schools in Mason City, until they moved to Clear Lake. He graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1940. He worked on the Alaskan Highway for T.L. Sears Highway Construction, Clear Lake, before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1942. He was a member of the 3rd Armored Division. Following his honorable discharge in 1945, he returned home to Clear Lake.
Bill married Betty Sears on June 26, 1943 at the First Congregational Church in Clear Lake. He attended Mason City Junior College. He worked for the Ford Garage in Clear Lake in the parts department. He then started working for Memorial Park Cemetery, owned by Henry Koeneke, until he purchased it. Bill owned and operated the cemetery until he sold it in 1983 and retired.
He was an avid golfer, played in the Iowa State Left-Handed Golf Tournament, and played the Links courses in Scotland twice. Betty and Bill traveled all over Europe.
He was a member of the First Congregational Church, Clear Lake, the Clear Lake Masonic Lodge and El Kahir Shrine in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Bill is survived by his wife Betty, Faribault, Minn.; daughter, Debbie Momberg, Faribault; four grandchildren, Beth (Kevin) Fette, Faribault, Kathy Ryan, Denver, Colo., Chris (Lori) Momberg, Northfield, Minn., and Rick (Mary) Momberg, Faribault; seven great-grandchildren, Kayla, Nicholas and Katelyn Fette, Micah and Talia Momberg, and Oliver and Hennessy Momberg.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law, Stephen Momberg.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.