William "Bill" Van Wettering

In Loving Memory
William "Bill" G. Van Wettering
April 29, 1947 - November 6, 2025

VISITATION
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
5:00 - 7:00 PM
Geelan Funeral Home
Spencer, Iowa

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
2:00 PM
Hope Church
Spencer, Iowa

CLERGY
Rev. James Runcorn

William "Bill" Gary Van Wettering was born on April 29, 1947, in Rock Rapids, Iowa, to Gerrit and Jeanette (Hoekert) Van Wettering.

Bill graduated from high school and went on to serve his country in the United States Air Force, enlisting in June of 1966 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He served honorably, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant, and completed one year of service in Vietnam before his honorable discharge in June of 1970 in Riverside, California.

While serving in Vietnam, Bill distinguished himself by heroism involving voluntary risk of life at Kontum Army Airfield on May 29, 1969. On that date Bill rushed to the area where an aircraft crashed upon landing. With complete disregard for his own safety, Bill, despite the possibility of fire and exploding fuel tanks, unhesitatingly persevered in his humanitarian efforts until he succeeded in removing the injured victims to a place of safety.

Because of his courageous actions, Bill was awarded The Airman's Medal, one of 16 in Iowa to receive this award to date. During his time in Vietnam, Bill attended field chapel services. That was where he accepted Christ into his life, a moment that continued to guide him throughout the rest of his years

On June 23, 1967, Bill was united in marriage to the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Theola "Teri" Van Engen at the First Reformed Church in Sibley, Iowa. Together, they made their home and raised two daughters, Hope and Jill. Bill and Teri instilled strong work ethics, dependability and honesty in their daughters and were proud of their accomplishments. Hope is a teacher in Spencer, IA and Jill is a statistician for the CDC in Cameron, North Carolina.

Bill worked for United Parcel Service as a package car driver in Mason City, Iowa, for 30 years. His strong work ethic and friendly personality earned him the respect of coworkers and customers alike.

Outside of work, Bill enjoyed woodworking and restoring furniture, as well as fishing, pheasant and turkey hunting, and training his hunting dogs, Fergie, Peggy, Chip and Major. As a senior UPS driver, he always took the month of November off to go pheasant hunting. He especially loved family vacations across the United States, specifically their three month trip of a lifetime with good friends to Alaska in their motor home.

Bill was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was always there to support his daughters, and was especially proud of being able to help Jill through her journey with epilepsy, treatment, and successful brain surgery that allowed her to live a seizure-free life.

He is survived by his wife, Teri Van Wettering of Spencer, Iowa; daughters, Hope (Darren) Bumgarner of Spencer, Iowa, and Jill (Jerome) Fleming of Cameron, North Carolina; grandchildren, JD, Chloe, and Nate Bumgarner of Spencer, Iowa; brothers, Gene (Kelli) Van Wettering of Le Mars, Iowa, and Greg James of Grand Junction, Colorado; and brothers-in-law, Jim (Pauline) Van Engen of Sibley, Iowa, Tim (Noel) Van Engen of Sibley, Iowa and sister-in-law Gloria (Steve) Eddy of Glendale, Arizona as well as many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerrit and Jeanette Van Wettering; brother, Andrew L. Van Wettering; and parents-in-law, George and Helen Van Engen. As well as a niece, Lesley Eddy and nephew, Tyler Eddy.

The family requests casual dress for both the visitation and funeral and if so led, wear something patriotic or red, white and blue to honor Bill and other veterans.

Bill's final unselfish act was to donate his body to science. He will be helping the students at South Dakota University in Vermillion, South Dakota.

Arrangements by Geelan Funeral Home