William Charles Upton

William Charles Upton, 76, of rural Luana, Iowa passed away Friday, May 29, 2020 at his home following a long illness.

William “Bill” was born January 29, 1944 to Charles and Marjorie (Berger) Upton in Volga, Iowa. He graduated from Valley High School with the class of 1962. William worked on a farm until he went to the Army in 1964, where he was in the 9th Engineer Battalion (Combat) until 1967.

William was united in marriage to Helen on June 21, 1992 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. William was a proud truck driver for thirty-four years. He was a member of the American Legion #722 in Harpers Ferry, Iowa. William loved anything to do with tractors, including staying out until 2:00 am at tractor pulls or driving his two-cylinder tractors. He always kept busy doing something, which included cutting down trees with his favorite chain saw “the wild thing”, yard work or his passion their campground. But not painting, William hated painting. He also had a gift to gab, he could talk to you about anything while he had a Mountain Dew in one hand and a Pall Mall in the other. William enjoyed going to bingo with his wife and his cat Garf would be waiting impatiently for him to arrive home. He also enjoyed liver and onions, meatloaf and pork chops.

Every school day for eight years, William would wait for the bus with his two granddaughters, Lacey and April to see them off. He loved them dearly. William had hands of a man who had worked hard all his life, but yet they were soft and tender for those he loved. He was a testament to how a man should live life. There are no words to describe William, but if one had to be chosen it would, Exemplary.

William was loved by so many and will be missed by all. He left big footprints behind for remembrance on how much he loved.

Surviving William is his Wife, Helen Upton of Luana, Iowa; daughter, Tiffany (Shannon) Upton of Luana, Iowa; sons, Keith (Brian) Nuehring of Independence, Iowa, Lee (Shana) Nuehring of Durant, Iowa and Chuck Upton of Decorah, Iowa; four brothers; three sisters; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

William was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Marjorie Upton; sister, June Upton; brother, Gene Upton; daughter, Jennifer Upton; nephew, Ryan Upton; mother-in-law, Florence Mueller; brother-in-law, Karl Green; and sister-in-law, Joyce Green.

A Public Visitation was held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2020 at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home in Elgin, Iowa.

A Private Family Funeral Service was held on Tuesday.

Burial with Military Rites will be held in the East Clermont Lutheran Cemetery, Clermont, Iowa.

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elgin, Iowa is assisting the family.