William “Bill” J. Durspek, Jr.
William “Bill” J. Durspek, Jr.
Marion
William “Bill” J. Durspek, Jr., 88, of Marion, Iowa, died on Sunday, July 16, 2023. In agreement with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 28, 2023, at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, located at 3500 29th Avenue in Marion, where the family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service. The Reverend Jeff Frohner will officiate. A private committal service will take place at a later date.
Bill was born on September 1, 1934, the son of William J. Sr. and Lila (Redmond) Durspek in Spooner, Wisconsin. Bill grew up in Spooner, played sports on the Spooner Railroaders High School teams, helped his father in his shoe repair shop, and developed his love for amateur radios and electronics. He graduated from Spooner High School. He later graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison with a B.S. in electrical engineering and M.S. in electrical engineering. While at the U of W, he met the love of his life, Mary Becker. They married in 1956 and welcomed their first daughter, Elizabeth, in 1957 in Madison. After finishing his MS, he served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps and was stationed at Fort Monmouth in New Jersey. While there, they welcomed their second daughter, Lynn, to the family in 1959. After completing his duty to the military, he left the service as a Captain and the family moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he began his career with Collins Radio Company. During his 32 years at Collins, Bill received two separate patents for the design work that he performed. He was also known for having the messiest office in his building. They bought their first and only home in Marion, and in 1963, their son, Steve, was born. After living in the house for almost 15 years, Bill added on a family room, doing almost all the work himself.
Some of Bill’s favorite hobbies include talking on his “ham” radios, genealogy research, building radios, tending his garden, picking tomatoes and cucumbers, fishing, camping and picking blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and making jam out of the fruit. Obviously, he had a great love of sweets. He never met a dessert he didn’t like. After retiring at the age of 57, Bill and Mary spent time camping near Spooner and visiting family and old friends. Bill and Mary loved going to their grandchildren’s activities and made it to many concerts and sporting events. For many years they were active in the Sons of Norway and put together their newsletter each month. They are also long-term members of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, where Bill ushered the services on a frequent basis.
Bill is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 67 years, Mary Durspek; children, Beth (Robert) Parker, Lynn (John) Neal and Steve (Eileen) Durspek; six grandchildren, Bill (Rachael) Neal, Ashley (Mike) Hilmer, Brittany (Maelyn Suba) Parker, Jenny (Jon) Colyer, Becky (Emory) Daniel and Nicki Neal; and eight great-grandchildren, Tyler, Abby, Hailey, Bennet, Dawson, Channing, Bella and Quinn.
The family wishes to thank Terrace Glen Village Assisted Living, Hospice of Mercy, and the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection for their compassionate care during this time.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the following: Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 3500 29th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302 (lcrmarion.org); KCCK Radio, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 (KCCK.org); or American Lung Association, 55 West Wacker Drive Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601 (Lung.org).
Please share a memory of Bill at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.