William Joseph "Bill" Shima

1937 - 2016

William J. "Bill" Shima

March 3, 1937 - March 19, 2016

The Mass of Christian Burial for William. J. Shima, 79, was conducted by Rev. Antony Mathew on Thursday, March 24, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Audubon. Interment was in the St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery south of Audubon. The casket bearers were Jerry Karns, Jim Willet, Jeremy Karns, Don Feddersen, Brett Irlmeier, and Bob Clark. The Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon was in charge of the arrangements.
William "Bill" Joseph Shima, the son of Joseph Leo and Marie (Graves) Shima, was born March 3, 1937, in Iowa City, and died March 19, 2016, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, at the age of 79 years and 16 days.
Bill was baptized and confirmed at the Catholic Church in Iowa City. He attended Iowa City community schools graduating with the High School Class of 1955. Bill studied at the University of Iowa for one year then transferred to Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, where he received his Bachelor's degree in Education and Physical Education in 1960.
On Aug. 22, 1959, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Cornick at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant. Four children Tony, Laura, Joe, and Jim were born to this union. They moved to Orient, and Bill taught in the Orient/Macksburg School District. Bill taught 8th grade Math, Science, and Social Studies and also coached football, track, and both boys and girls basketball. In the early 1960's they moved to Audubon. Bill taught 7th and 8th Social Studies and American History. He also taught Middle School Reading for a short time. Bill coached Junior High Girls Basketball, and served as an assistant coach for football, track and wrestling. He drove the bus to many sporting events and worked at many wrestling meets and tournaments. Bill retired in 2002 after teaching for 42 years. He did continue to drive the bus for several years after retiring.
Bill was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Audubon. He enjoyed hunting for deer and turkey. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and enjoyed watching Iowa Football and Iowa Wrestling. Every August Bill and Ann would drive to California to visit their sons Tony and Joe and their families. He enjoyed doing yard work and did lawn maintenance for several families over the years. But most of all he enjoyed his family and watching his children and grandchildren participate in the many sports and other school activities.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Mary Ann Shima; his son Tony Shima; his parents; and his sister Betty (Shima) Rich.
Survivors include his children Laura and husband Rich Pross of Audubon, Joe and wife Shelly Shima of Madera, Calif., and Jim and wife Lisa Shima of Storm Lake; his daughter-in-law Sandy Shima of San Clemente, Calif.; his grandchildren Cody Pross of Council Bluffs, Sharlotte Shima and Lane Shima both of Madera, Calif., Christopher Shima and Carter Shima both of Storm Lake, Ashley and husband Travis Dillinger of Polk City, and Kelsey Shima of San Clemente, Calif.; his great-grandchildren Tessa and Amelia Dillinger both of Polk City; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Ed Rich of Lockridge, Mike and wife Deloris Cornick of Glenwood, Nancy and husband Frank Bell of Mission, Texas, and Sally and husband Rodger Bell of Roseburg, Ore.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.