William "Willie" Edwin Sears, Jr

William "Willie" Edwin Sears, Jr., 74, of Charles City, died Tuesday, May 13, 2008, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City.

Funeral services for Willie Sears will be held 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church. Pastor Dennis Niezwaag will officiate. Burial will be held 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Greenfield Cemetery in Harmony, Minn.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Visitation will continue at the church an hour prior to the service.

William Edwin Sears, Jr. was born November 8, 1933, at Cresco, the son of William G. and Edna (Gager) Sears, Sr. He received his education at rural schools near Harmony, Minn. William proudly served in the United States Army. On July 7, 1957, William was united in marriage to Beverly Vatland at Mabel, Minn. In 1960 they moved to Charles City where Willie was employed at the Oliver/White Farm Equipment Company for 32 years. He also worked at Molstead Motors for several years and enjoyed working all his life as a farm hand. Willie was a member of the Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Amvets. His interests included gardening and farming.

Living family members include his wife, Beverly Sears of Charles City; a brother, Merlin Sears of Charles City; and four sisters, Marion Caldwell and Margaret Torkelson both of Harmony, Minn., Faye Pederson of LaCrosse, Wis., Karen (Terry) Walker of Lake City, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa Charles City site, 1003 Gilbert Street, Charles City, IA 50616.