Services: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, Columbus Junction United Methodist Church.

COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa — James “Bill” William Sands, 88, of Columbus Junction, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. 

The Rev. Al Coffin will officiate. Inurement will take place at the Columbus City Cemetery. Full military rites will be provided by the Allen Wright Hanft American Legion Post No. 100.

Following the committal services at the cemetery there will be a time of food and fellowship at the Columbus Junction United Methodist Church..

There will be no visitation.

The Stacy-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Columbus Junction United Methodist Church, American Heart Association or the Stroke Association in Bill’s name. Online sympathy notes may be left at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com.

Mr. Sands was born June 15, 1920, in Amberg, Wis., the son of Glen and Edna (Moore) Sands. He married Kathleen Smith June 15, 1946, in Columbus Junction.

He was a decorated WWII veteran, having served in Normandy, Rhineland, Central Europe, and Andennes. He received the ETO Ribbon, the pre-Pearl Harbor Badge, the American Defense Mexican Border and The Purple Heart.

He was a lifetime member of the VFW No. 4630, the Allen Wright Hanft American Legion Post No. 100, the D.A.V. and the Columbus City Masonic Lodge. He was also a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the KAABA Shrine Club and a member of the Swedish Rites. He was a former member of the Louisa County Farm Bureau, serving on the board of directors of the Valley View Estates in Mission, Texas for six years. He served four of them as president.

He was a long time farmer in Louisa County, later working at the Army Reserve Center in Washington, as an AST before retiring in 1983.

In February of 2008 Bill and Kathleen sold their home in Mission, Texas and returned to Columbus Junction.

 He enjoyed his 6 a.m. breakfast buddies at Economart, his 9:30 a.m. country farmers coffee klutch and his 2 p.m. coffee friends at Lee’s. Bill also enjoyed golf, playing cards, and music, especially playing the banjo.

He will be deeply missed by his wife, Kathleen of Columbus Junction; a brother, Sam Sands of Columbus Junction; three sisters, Charlotte Morrison of Columbus Junction, Jean Wykert of Burlington and Joan Grim and husband, Everett of Nichols; many nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and nephews.

He made many friends while in the Army Reserve and special ones were Warren McConahay, Max White, Dennis Greiner, Truman Hysell and Charlie Shellabarger.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bob and Dick Sands; three sisters, Myrna Hazelett, Lois Boyd and Betty June Sands.