William J Beohm was born May 22, 1939 to Fred and Louise Beohm in Dyersville, Iowa. He spent his early years working their dairy farm and farming with his father and grandfather. He excelled in sports and academics giving the valedictorian speech for his graduating class of 12! He joined the Army Reserves in 1956 before graduation from high school and served for 8 years. He later attended Gates Business College in Waterloo, Iowa where he met the love of his life, Marilyn. Bill also graduated from the Harvard School of Banking, Iowa School of Banking and Wisconsin School of Banking.
Marilyn and Bill were married on July 4, 1959. Bill began his banking career in Jesup, Iowa for Farmers State Bank. He moved several times before he assembled an investment group to buy the First Community Bank in Traer, Iowa before he was 30 years old…. He was a born salesman who loved people and helping his community. He bought and managed several banks, including Tama State Bank, Delhi Bank, Van Horn Bank, Burtt Savings bank and finally ended his career in Marshalltown, Iowa with Pinnacle Bank. Bill survived several AG crises as well as the financial crisis. He did this by thinking outside the box, hard work and determination. He never gave up and always found a way. He found great joy in helping people with small businesses. He also owned and operated Financial Partners Realty LTD and Bankers Insurance Agency. He spent many happy years participating in the Iowa Bankers Association and spent 50 years in the industry. He was on the board of the Bankers Bank of Iowa and Wisconsin. He also served on the Iowa Economic Development Board and Tama/Toledo Development Corp, Tama County Board of Realtors, Tama Projects LTD, Marshalltown Rotary Club and Tama Chamber of Commerce.
Bill and Marilyn were blessed with 5 children, Linda, Mary, John, Lisa and Laura. HIs greatest love was the love of his family and he did everything he could to encourage his children and showered them with unconditional love. All of them participated in the family business at some point in their career. John, Lisa and her husband Paul spent many years working and growing the Banking business alongside him. Bill was devoted to his community, shopping and buying from all the local business. He was a true supporter of the small and family owned business.
Bill’s favorite pastimes were attending the many Iowa Hawkeye games. He was a member of the I-Club and spent years taking his children and friends to all the Hawk games. He loved to travel and spent many summers fishing in Canada and Alaska with friends and his son. They also traveled Europe with close friends. Later in life, Bill and Marilyn spent winters in Fort Myers, Florida where they developed many friendships. It was a fun time in their life. The family frequently visited them in Florida. It was Bill’s happy place for sure!
Bill was blessed with 9 grandchildren all who loved their Grandfather deeply.
Bill and Marilyn relocated from Iowa to Overland Park in 2013 and attended Church of the Nativity Catholic Parish and St Michaels. Bill is survived by Marilyn J Beohm, his wife of 61 years. Children Linda and Bruce Hanson, John Beohm, Lisa and Paul Hayek, Laura and Mark Ovington. Grandchildren Kyle and Kathryn Hanson, Andrew Hanson, Alex Hanson, Holly Hanson, Emily and Kyle Gaydos, Nick Hayek, Brandon Hayek, Anna Ovington and Natalie Ovington and Great Granddaughters Lilly and Marlowe. His sister, Gloria and Jim Whetstone and brother Allen and Carole Beohm, sister-in-law Mary Jo Beohm, sister-in-law Connie Broell, brother-in-law George and Karen Broell and many nieces and nephews.
Our Dad was a fighter….he always said he was going to beat this disease and even in later years would frequently talk about deals he was doing and how he was going to buy another bank and we could help him run it. Bill never really stopped thinking about how to get back to work, it was his passion because of his love of people.
The family would like to thank the caregivers at Care Haven Homes and KC Hospice. The love and support that was given will not be forgotten. We also want to recognize Jeanne’s place as a social club. They were so supportive and such a joyous resource. The family wishes for prayers that Alzheimer’s can be cured. The gift that Bill left for us was the graceful way he accepted his cross and was joyous every day. He loved little children, animals and birds and dancing to music! It taught each of us something important about life and the simple things that mean so much.
William is preceded in death by a daughter Mary, parents Louise and Fred Beohm, brother Gary Beohm, brother-in-law James Broell and Mother and Father-in-law, Ed and Lois Broell.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at the Church of the Nativity in Leawood, Kansas. Face Masks are to be worn at all times. There will be no visitation and Rosary will be at 10:30 and Mass will be live-streamed via Church of the Nativity’s website (http://kcnativity.org) In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the KU Alzheimer's Disease Center and KC Hospice.