William Louis Anciaux

William Louis Anciaux, the son of Roy and Hazel (Hensley) Anciaux was born September 2, 1923, at his parents’ home in Greeley Township in Audubon County, Iowa, and died November 4, 2019 at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital at the age of 96 years, 2 months, and 2 days.

He attended Exira Community Schools, participating in basketball and baseball and graduating as the valedictorian of the High School Class of 1941. He then attended Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa until he was drafted on October 2, 1944. He served in the Army Air Force and was a navigator with the 786th Bomb Squadron. He was stationed in the European Theatre and during a mission his plane experienced engine trouble and crash landed in Sweden, where he was a prisoner of war. He was honorably discharged on December 5, 1945 and received a Purple Heart. Bill returned to Exira where he was employed for Lensch Plumbing for a short time.

On October 5, 1944, he was united in marriage to Joyce A. Lensch at the Federated United Church of Christ in Exira. One son Herbert R. was born to this union. He worked for the United States Postal Service as a rural mail carrier for years until he retired in 1990. Bill was very proud to receive several awards from the Postal Service for never having an accident during his employment. He also farmed where he grew row crops and milked dairy cattle.

Bill was a member of the Federated United Church of Christ in Exira. When Herbert was younger Bill was a Boy Scout leader for many years. He was an avid sport enthusiast especially baseball. In his retirement, he enjoyed woodworking and bowling with Joyce. He also bowled on a Bowling League at the Exira Bowl for several years.

Preceding him in death was his wife Joyce Anciaux on October 11, 2008; his parents; his sister, Orlynn and husband Joe McKibben; and his brothers-in-law, Herbert “Bud” and wife Ruby Lensch, Bill and wife Treva Lensch, Buel and wife Barbara Lensch, and Wendell and wife Norma Lensch.

Survivors include his son Herb R. and wife Marcia Anciaux of Fort Myers, Florida; his grandchildren: Todd and wife Kim Anciaux of Wichita, Kansas and Sara and husband Paul Murans of Carmel, Indiana; his great-grandchildren: Ella, William, Nicholas, Adeline, Greta, and Grady Anciaux of Wichita, Kansas; Dylan and Carter Murans of Carmel, Indiana; his niece/daughter, Lisa and husband Terry R. Knutsen of Exira and their children: Veronica and husband Tyler Meaike and their children Carson, Camry, and Cooper of Exira, and Tessa Knutsen of Adair, Iowa; Darrick Knutsen and his children Lexi and Logan of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Erick Knutsen and his son Brecken of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Trever Knutsen and fiancé Courtney of Colorado; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be conducted by Minister Jason Zaiger on Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa, with family will meet with friends one hour prior to the funeral. Inurnment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira.