Willis Noller

W. E. ( Gene ) Noller, 87, a longtime Webster City funeral director, died Saturday, April 14, 2012 at Crestview Senior Living in Webster City. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 20 at Asbury United Methodist Church, with Rev. Linda Bibb officiating. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery. Graveside military services will be conducted by American Legion Post # 191. Visitation will be at the Foster Funeral and Cremation Center from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday and prior to the service at the church. Willis Eugene Noller, son of Earl and Clara Schipfer Noller, was born January 21, 1925 on a farm west of Sigourney, Iowa. Following graduation from Sigourney High School in 1942, he attended the University of Iowa for one year where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served with the Military Police in the American Theatre. In 1947, he enrolled in the Hohenschuh-Carpenter School of Mortuary Science in St. Louis, MO. Following graduation, he served his apprenticeships at Patterson-James Funeral Home at Mason City and Nimmer Funeral Chapel at Sigourney. On July 1, 1951, he married Patty Lou Williams at the United Methodist Church at Sigourney. The couple resided at Sigourney. In August of 1952, they moved to Webster City. At that time Foster Funeral Home, Inc. was formed and Gene served as vice-president, later served as president for several years. He retired in 1990, after serving the Webster City community and surrounding area for 38 years. He had resided at Crestview Senior Living for five years. Gene is survived by his wife of 61 years, Pat; daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl Kesler McCleary of Dillon, CO; Lynne and Gerry Voelliger of Bettendorf; Kathy and George Ambrose of Urbandale; Mary and Jeff Bogaards of Pella; grandchildren, Justin and Megan McCleary; Ryan and Lindsay Voelliger; Paighton and Ethan Bogaards; brother, Dan Noller of LaJunta, CO; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert and Russell Noller; sister, Earlene Davidson and son-in-law, Joe Kesler. Gene was a 60 year member of the Asbury United Methodist Church; Webster City Country Club; Webster City Lions, served as past president and first Lion of the year honoree; former Elks Lodge member; was a board member of the Airport Commission; former Webster City Moose Family Center member; American Legion Post # 191; Webster City Chamber of Commerce; past president of the Hamilton County Red Cross; past president of American Field Service, bringing foreign exchange students to Webster City; 50 year member of Acacia Lodge # 176 - AF & AM; former member of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association. Gene loved his family, Foster Funeral Home, travel, Iowa Hawkeye football games and his winters in Arizona and summers at Clear Lake. He enjoyed flying and was proud of his private pilots license. Memorial may be given to the Lions Eye Bank. Write a personal tribute or light a virtual candle for the Noller family at www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com