William B. Potter
  • Born on: March 31, 1925
  • Departed on: June 14, 2017
  • Resided in: Bettendorf, IA

William B. Potter

William B. “Bill” Potter 92, of Bettendorf Iowa, left his earthly frame to inhabit his eternal home in the Lord on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, following a brief illness. 

Visitation will be at 9 AM June 17 at First Presbyterian Church Davenport. Funeral will be at the church following the visitation at 10 AM, with the Reverend Richard Miller officiating. 

Bill was born in Rock Island IL on March 31, 1925. He was the last of 11 children of William B. and Nettie (Powell) Potter. He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1943. Following High School, he served as a soldier in the U.S. Army Air Corps, during the Second World War. Bill was a life resident of the Quad Cities, living most of his long life in Rock Island. In later years, he divided his time between Bettendorf and his beloved Sun City, Arizona. 

Bill owned and operated Pyxis Refractories, retiring in 1992. Bill was raised during the Great Depression. To help the family, he was employed from a young age, and always had a strong work ethic. He told stories of early jobs including driving a milk truck, and working in an ice cream factory. He frequently would say he liked every job he ever had. Along with a strong work ethic, he was a master of the witty reply, frequently employing some endearingly obscure or old-fashioned term. He had an excellent vocabulary and was an avid and accomplished crossword puzzler. 

Bill’s Christian faith was always a central part of his life. He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Rock Island, and served in various capacities including trustee board and pastor nominating committee. He also sang tenor in church choir for many years, enjoyed bowling in the weekly church league, and in younger years was pitcher for the church softball team. He would speak of how the good Lord had well-provided for him, and was gracious to share his material blessings with others, especially his family.
 
Along with church activities, Bill had a love for the great outdoors. For many years, family camping vacations were an annual event, and he especially enjoyed trips to the western mountain States. 

Bill married Lori Carlson on February 18, 1995 who survives him. They shared over 25 years of good times, participating in ballroom dances as well as golf outings, both in the Quad Cities and in Sun City. They also enjoyed travelling to international destinations, as well as hosting or attending family gatherings for holidays and celebrations. 

Bill married Corinne MacNeill on August 11, 1951. They had five children who survive him: Caroline (Don) Morrow, Flower Mound, Texas, Melanie (Doug) McNeil, Marietta, Georgia, Theodore (Anne) Potter, Iowa City, Iowa, William Potter II, Chatham, Illinois., and Ellen (John) McBride, Blue Grass, Iowa; nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. 

He was step-father to Lori’s three children: Jeff (Connie) Carlson, Minneapolis, Lori Beth (Dave) French, Bettendorf and Paula Carslon-Parella, Bettendorf, and step-grandfather to Lori’s 8 grandchildren. 

He is also survived by a sister, Juanita (Donald) Burke of Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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