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Bill Cutler Obituary
Clive
Bill "Jonas" Cutler passed peacefully November 8, 2013, after a valiant fight for his life. Bill proudly served in the Navy on the USS Osborn, serving in Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Alaska and is named on the VFW Beaverdale Wall. Bill was a larger than life character and as a founding member of the "All Center Bums" and a Roosevelt graduate, he routinely attended Cronies Breakfast and ACB security council meetings with loyal and lifelong friends.
His business career centered on the travel industry beginning as a Las Vegas tour operator before joining TravelPro, the family business, and ultimately launching CTM with his late wife Daria. He travelled extensively in Europe and fell in love with Ireland; he was also captivated by the islands of the Caribbean.
A charter member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Bill was a passionate collector of rock and roll memorabilia and had the largest collection in the Midwest. His prized possessions included everything from a signed Buddy Holly and the Crickets poster from 1958 to a rare Rolling Stones pinball machine. He was an avid concert goer and on a perpetual quest to meet his favorite performers and add their autographs to his collection. Bill could be found hanging out with Mick (Jagger) at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame or hopping on the BB King Tour bus when it passed through Des Moines. From the Dead to John Lee Hooker to Bob Dylan, Bill was "that guy" in the front row who was always having more fun than everyone else.
Visitation is at McLaren's Funeral Chapel (West Des Moines) on Monday, November 11th from 6 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. and "you won't want to miss this...." the final encore will be at Saint Augustin's at 1 p.m. Tuesday, November 12th, 2013. Burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines.
Bill is member of the large and lively Cutler clan and is survived by his loving wife Renae, who shares his eclectic taste in music and collecting and who cared for Bill throughout his illness; his children, Jonas (Amy), Daniel, Lily, Jessinda and Sophia, parents E. Gene and Jane Cutler, siblings Steve (Jane), Patrick (Priscilla), Dan (Sharon), Michael, Maureen and Kathleen (Steve). He is blessed with 5 grandchildren, Acacia, Arianna, Adelei, Olivia and Kingston as well as nieces and nephews too many to count. Bill is preceded in death by his first wife, Lauri, and Daria, his wife of 20 years.
"It's only Rock and Roll" ....and it will never be the same without him.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The After School Arts Program in Des Moines (www.asap-dsm.org) or Bill's GiveForward.com site (www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/kh93/bill-cutler-cancer-fund) to assist with the cost medical bills.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Bill Cutler
Nancy (Clark) Stillians
November 19, 2013
Caught by this portrait, I knew Bill Jonas Cutler only through his parents, Gene and Jane, and his grandmother Hortense, However, I want to be included in those reminded by his passing of the importance of living fully, of honoring friends and family and of bringing as much joy and celebration into this the time of our lives. Bill added to his inheritance of optimism from his parents and his ragtime grandmother Hortense in ways that obviously contributed to those of you fortunate enough to know him. Love and Joy!
John Press
November 14, 2013
R.I.P. old friend.Maybe we'll have some great times again in the next go around. John Press ACB 67.
November 14, 2013
~ life fully lived, Bill. rest peacefully. scot carr
Linda Kreger
November 13, 2013
Our family will miss Bill more than I can say. Gone too soon, but you have your three beautiful children in this world to carry on your love and light. Remembering you will always bring a smile to my face and to my heart.
Linda Kreger
Patty Thyberg
November 12, 2013
Rest in Peace Jonas, you deserve it. You will be missed. My condolences to the Cutler Family
T.J. Grove
November 11, 2013
If Bill hadn't have produced some of the most beautifully candid and loving children I would be a very different person today. I owe him my thoughts, love, and gratitude for that.
a few old photos
pam frey
November 11, 2013
Gene Garton
November 11, 2013
Bill, so glad I got a chance to visit with you at Flanagan's that night. You, my friend, will be missed by all. So many years ago I remember your crazy wild ways. RIP.
Gene & Kathy Flanagan Garton
November 11, 2013
Bill had a great spirit, he will be missed by all. Sending more Irish love and prayers to the Cutler Clan.
Linda Wigod
November 11, 2013
My condolences to the Cutler family, may God be with you during this difficult time.I heard many wonderful stories about Bill from his brother Mike.
November 11, 2013
What a wonderful obituary about a guy I have only heard about. Thank you Bill for your service to our country. Your brother Mike has been a fan of yours and I know will miss you dearly. Mike and I work together.
With Sympathy to Bill's family members,
Peggy Doyle
Jack Shepard
November 11, 2013
What I loved most about Jonas was that, whenever I'd see him, whether it was at a concert or at a Bums' or Roosevelt reunion, or just around town, he always made me feeI like I was his best friend. I know I wasn't – he had more friends than just about anyone I knew. But there was always that warmth, that honesty and loyalty to everyone he knew. I admired that a great deal. That was Jonas - you couldn't go anywhere with him where he didn't know half the people there. He loved life and he loved people and it showed.
Even though we went to the same high school - something lots of people can say since Jonas was passed around from school to school like a secret in phone tag - we didn't really get to know each other until a few years later. We'd run into each other at “So's Your Mother,” listening to music and getting a buzz on. Or we might head on over to “Pinocchio's,” a tavern and music venue further west on Forest Ave. There we'd be in the pool room playing “Man Ball,” a game we made up that only required sticks and the cue ball, which was good because none of us had any money back then. It would be me and Dave Will versus Jonas and Tom Gallo, each slamming the cue ball with the rubber end of a stick trying to knock it off the table towards one of our opponents. Just a bunch of kids making it up as we went along.
Brad Schuchat
November 11, 2013
I was very sorry to hear of Bill's passing. He was a great guy and I'm sure he will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was an inspiration all his ACB friends. Again my condolences to Renae for her loss.
Scott Berry
November 11, 2013
Bill was a unique individual and a great guy. He always was about living to the fullest. Godspeed old friend :)
Lonnee Martin
November 11, 2013
A wonderfully sweet man who will be missed.
Lonnee
Pam Shaw
November 11, 2013
For me, I will always remember a tall, slender young man, wearing blue jeans with paisley inserts and a buckskin jacket. So he will remain, ever gentle on my mind.
November 11, 2013
Life is about dreaming big and then going bigger. It's discovering what's new but always wondering what's next.
I hope the family takes comfort in knowing cousin Bill now knows what's next.
A reminder of a Willie and Johnny Cash song comes to mind. "The Highwayman". Bill's on that Starship traveling the Universe maybe coming back as a simple drop of rain. His memory will always remain. Again and again and again.
Cousin Bo and Family.
Kristina Bergeson-Campbell
November 11, 2013
I last saw Bill at my brother, Eric Bergeson's, memorial service, and Bill was such a loving presence, reminding me that the bond of friendship surpasses any illness. His obituary is a fitting tribute to a man who loved life and who loved others. I send my deepest sympathy to Bill's rambling family, and can only hope that perhaps Bill and Eric are dancing to a little rock 'n roll. Sending much love, Tina Bergeson Campbell
Mardelle Todd
November 10, 2013
The Ring Bearer
No pictures..only in my mind,
A blond blue eyed 4 year old,important
In his role as Ring Bearer.
No pictures..only in my mind,
A boy on a trip to the lake, ready
To be a Fisherman.
No pictures..only in my mind,
A boy,16,anticipating his first
Trip to see New York City.
No pictures..only in my mind
A young man finding his way,
With hope and vision.
A voice on the phone not expected,
He always called me Aunt.
In loving memory, Aunt Mardelle
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