Leland Laverne McWilliams

Leland L. “Lee” McWilliams, 76, of Mt. Pleasant, died Thursday, August 3, 2023 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Leland Laverne “Lee” McWilliams was born June 17, 1947 in Fairfield, Iowa. He was the son of Gerald Laverne and Mildred Irene (Tilford) McWilliams. Lee graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1965 and then attended barber school in Moline, IL. On August 7, 1966 at the Stockport Methodist Church, Stockport, IA, Lee was united in marriage to Alice Louise Donald. To this union 2 children, Terry and Tracy were born. The couple later divorced. Lee then married Karen Wright. The couple later divorced. ON March 19, 1994 in Mt. Pleasant, Lee was united in marriage to Linda Kay Rukgarber Kinney. Linda preceded in death on December 21, 2010 in Iowa City.

Lee began his barber career at the former Roth Barber shop, which later became King’s Barber Shop. Lee then began a long career as a meat cutter, first at a grocery store in Mt. Pleasant’s downtown area. He then joined the staff of the Hy-Vee Food Store in Mt. Pleasant in the Meat Department. Lee was with Hy-Vee for 35 years until his retirement in 2007.

Lee was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #1003, and the Mt. Pleasant Golf and Country Club. He served in the US Army Reserves. Lee loved playing pool and played in pool leagues. He enjoyed playing cards, primarily cribbage, NASCAR, country music and dancing. Lee was a devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, attending many games in his lifetime with his family.

Those thankful for sharing in Lee’s life include 2 children and their spouses – Terry (Cyndi) McWilliams of Mt. Pleasant and Tracy (John) Dingman of St. Paul, IA; 4 stepchildren – Rhonda (Paul) Kinney-Longworth of Ann Arbor, MI, Tom (Sonja) Kinney of Houston, TX, Angie (Kirby) Booton of Mt. Pleasant and Paula (Steve) Cox of Mt. Pleasant; a brother, Gary (Connie) McWilliams of Oroville, CA; 6 grandchildren – Emily, Abby, Alexa, Bri, Nathan and Rachel, and several step grandchildren.

His parents, wife Linda and a sister, Marlene Oster precede Lee in death.

Services will be 10:30 AM on Tuesday, August 8 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The Reverend Courtney Fischer, Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Mt. Pleasant, will officiate. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home to sign the register from 12 Noon to 7 PM on Monday. The family will be present to receive friends from 9AM-10:30 on Tuesday morning prior to the funeral.

            Memorials are to  Midwest Old Threshers and Holy Trinity Schools.

The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant, is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.

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