HIAWATHA, Iowa – William R. Silfies, 92, of Hiawatha, Iowa, formerly of Mendota, passed away March 7, 2023 at The Promise House of Hiawatha.

Services will be Monday, March 13 at 10 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church with Vicar Anthony Windau officiating. Visitation will be from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, March 12 at the Wasmer Funeral Home with a Masonic service at 3:30. Cremation rites will be accorded after services and burial will be private, with full military rites by V.F.W. Post #4079.

Bill was born June 9, 1930 in Spring Valley to Rudolph and Winifred (Harris) Silfies. He proudly served his country from 1947-1954 in the Army during the Korean War. Bill returned to Spring Valley to marry the love of his life Edith Hillman on Jan. 14, 1951.

Those left missing him dearly are his sons, William (Lee) Silfies of St. John, Ind., and Michael (Missy) Silfies of LaMoille; three daughters, Paula Silfies of Lisbon, Iowa, Diane (John) Wiesbrock of Waupaca, Wis., and Penny (Derek) Lusietto of Ohio, Ill.; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren with one on the way; brother, Harry "Bud" Silfies of LaMoille; and sister-in-law, Nancy Silfies of Warrenville.

He was preceded in death by his love "Edie" on June 30, 2018, sister Margaret Pippel and brother Robert Silfies.

After his service, Bill was owner of Silfies Construction Company based in Peru. After he sold his construction business, he was a General Superintendent for Phalen Steel Construction Company of Mendota until 2015. Bill also served as the Building Inspector for the City of Mendota until 2015.

A devoted family man, Bill was also proud of his community and happy to give his time and talents to many organizations. He was a life member of Masonic Lodge #172 Mendota/Walnut, V.F.W. Post #4079, American Legion Post #540, Mendota Moose Lodge, Mendota Elks Lodge #1212, a Boy Scout Leader in LaMoille and St. John's Lutheran Church.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, William Joshua Silfies, John Silfies, Matthew Silfies, Nick Himes, Andrew Wiesbrock and Tony Lusietto.

Memorials may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church. Condolences may be left at wasmerfuneralhome.com.

Bill's family would like to make a very heartfelt thank you to the entire staff at The Promise House in Hiawatha, Iowa. The amount of love and care that he received the last year of his life from these amazing women was truly immeasurable. They are now and forever a part of his family.