White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Willis Wayne “Bill” Chesmore, 84 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Monday, March 14, 2016, at Unity Point St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  He was born on December 17, 1931, in Cono Township of Buchanan County, near Quasqueton, Iowa, the son of Marshal Curtis and Retha Marie (Brown) Chesmore.  He graduated from high school in Quasqueton, Iowa, with the Class of 1949 and attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.  He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.  On July 13, 1952, he and the former Velda Janeane Roloff were married at the Cono Presbyterian Church in rural Quasqueton.  She preceded him in death in 1988.  On December 26, 1989, he and the former Arlene “Susie” White were married at the First United Methodist Church in Independence.  Mr. Chesmore farmed for a while and raised American Quarter Horses.  He also worked at John Deere Co. in Waterloo for 30 years.  He retired in 1991.

Mr. Chesmore was a member of the U.A.W. Local #838 in Waterloo, the Cedar Rock American Legion Post #434 in Quasqueton, and the First Baptist Church in Independence.  He was a life member of the American Quarter Horse Association. He enjoyed wintering in Texas.  For many years in his retirement, he helped maintain Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.

Mr. Chesmore is survived by his wife, Susie, 1 son, Marshal “Chip” (Carol) Chesmore of Sherrard, Illinois, 3 daughters, Debra (Jerry) Holt and LaVelle (Marvin) Hillman, both of Winthrop, Iowa, and Beckie (Dewey) Petersen of Ely, Iowa, 7 grandchildren, 13 step grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren.  He is also survived by 1 sister, Katherine Carver of Rowley, Iowa, 2 step sons, Mark White of Independence, John (Cindy) White of Jesup, and 1 step daughter, Mary (Dewey) Eyerly of Lorimore, Iowa.

In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and 1 sister, Marcella Hekel.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 18, 2016, at the White Funeral Home in Independence with Pastor Dean Schlitter officiating.  Burial will be in Quasqueton Cemetery in Quasqueton.  Friends may call for visitation from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 16^th, and Thursday, Mar. 17^th, at the funeral home.