William Fisher

William Louis Fisher was born December 2, 1915, in Davenport, Iowa, the son of Murray Louis and Lillian (Miller) Fisher. He passed away Friday, August 20, 2010, at the Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa.

He graduated from Central High School and St. Ambrose College in Davenport, and in 1940, received his law degree from the University of South Dakota.

He then served five years in the Army during World War II in the European Theater. Bill was a Chief Warrant Officer with the 739th heavy field artillery Battalion and received a Bronze Star for his service overseas. On August 14, 1943, he married Laura Louise Matousek in Columbia, South Carolina.

After practicing law for the Charlie Coffman law firm in Davenport from 1945 to 1949, Bill and Laura moved to Adair where Bill purchased the Harry Byers law firm in September of 1949. His solo law practice followed until sons Martin and John joined the firm in 1979 and 1981, respectively, forming the law firm of Fisher, Fisher & Fisher, P.C. Bill practiced law for over 60 years.

He was active in the community as a member of the Adair School Board, as a founding member of the 5x80 Club, the Adair Development Company, Adair Community Health Center, Adair Foundation, Hillcrest board and served in numerous positions in the First Presbyterian Church. Bill was also a member of the Iowa Bar Association, the Lions Club, the American Legion, the VFW, and a past member of the Masonic Lodge.

In high school, during the Depression, Bill used his musical skills as a drummer and created several orchestras in Davenport with his sister Delilah. He also enjoyed fishing, gardening, biking, cracking walnuts and taking vacations to the Black Hills. After his three granddaughters were born he shared his passions with them.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Laura of 64 years; his parents, Murray and Lillian Fisher; his sister, Delilah Bealer and her husband, Lloyd; and his cousins, Mary Ruble and her husband, Merle and Paul Culver and his wife, Erma.

Survivors include his sons, John and Martin Fisher; daughter-in-law, Linda Hemminger all of Adair; and his granddaughters, Livia Fisher and Lynae Fisher of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Laine Fisher of Washington D.C.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., on Sunday, August 29, 2010, at Hockenberry Funeral Home in Adair, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 30, 2010, at the First Presbyterian Church in Adair, Iowa.

Burial will be in the Sunnyhill Cemetery in Adair, Iowa.

Memorials may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Central Southwest Iowa or the Adair-Casey Community School Foundation.

Hockenberry Family Care in Adair, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.