Weckerly

The Rev. Dr. William “Bill” Clarence Weckerly, 89, died Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Bettendorf, Iowa, with Sheila, his wife of 64 years, holding his hand and praying for peace.

Born in 1937, to Albert and Helen Weckerly, on the family farm in Butler, Bill was a man of deep faith, a lifelong teacher and learner, and someone who never lost his sense of adventure.

A first-generation college graduate, Bill earned an education degree from Indiana State Teachers College and began his career teaching high school English. After hearing God’s call to ministry, he earned his Master of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister. He served churches in Batavia, N.Y., Cincinnati, Ohio, Monticello, Ind., Graham, N.C., and Westfield, N.Y. In 1987, he earned his doctorate from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis.

Following his retirement from ministry in 2003, Bill returned to teaching as an adjunct instructor at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges and Lake-Sumter State College, sharing his passion for speech, ethics and religion, until fully retiring in 2020. He was active in chambers of commerce, United Way, food pantries and especially with Rotary, maintaining more than 50 years of perfect attendance.

Bill married Sheila Saxman in 1962. Together they raised four children, William (Jacqueline), Eric (Cathi Roberts), Erin (Trevor) Snyder and Brian. He especially enjoyed being a grandfather to his 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Growing up on a farm shaped Bill’s work ethic and love of gardening. An early riser, often starting his day by 4 a.m., he cultivated vegetable gardens approaching 2 acres, keeping his family well fed, even if his children enjoyed the harvest more than the weeding.

Bill loved adventure, from roller coasters to hang gliding, a hot-air balloon ride and skydiving at age 81. He and Sheila visited all 50 states, although she maintained some counted only because they stopped for ice cream.

Sheila was Bill’s constant companion, partner in adventure and spiritual guide. Although he was the pastor, he credited her steadfast faith with strengthening his own. He often kissed her forehead after prayer and sang, “I love you a bushel and a peck.” He also claimed their marriage vows included dessert with every meal.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Kenneth Weckerly, Bud Weckerly, and Katherine Jones.

He is survived by Sheila; his children and their spouses; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; and nieces and nephews.

His family imagines Bill arriving in heaven after one final roller coaster ride, finding a cup of coffee and a piece of cake, and then gathering an audience for one more sermon or lecture.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23

WECKERLY — Friends of the Rev. Dr. William “Bill” Clarence Weckerly, who died Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, will be received from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at FOX FUNERAL HOME, 410 W. Main St., Saxonburg.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the funeral home, with Pastor Seth officiating.

Interment will follow in Saxonburg Memorial Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to River Bend Food Bank in Davenport, Iowa, or to the library fund of a church of your choosing.

For more information, please visit www.foxfuneralhomeinc.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.