William F. Keairnes

1927 - 2018

William F Keairnes (Dad) was born on a farm near Dunlap, Iowa in 1927. He spent his early years there surrounded by a large extended family. The farm was lost during the Great Depression and Dad moved to Council Bluffs with his mother. He never got over leaving Dunlap and his extended family. He served in the US Navy during WWII. After the war he graduated from the University of Iowa and married his beloved wife, Delores Hason. Dad followed opportunity and good weather to Las Vegas in January of 1961. He was a claims office manager with State Farm before starting his own agency in 1967. Dad's agency thrived and he put his hard earned money into land investments. He never forgot losing his home and struggling to survive the depression. He was determined to rebuild the family finances. Dad loved the 'Wild West'. The family spent many weekends traveling the dirt roads of Nevada to explore ghost towns, remote canyons, lakes and streams. He made sure his family traveled back to Iowa often to visit family. Dad had a good sense of humor till the end. As he lay in a hospital bed he would tell his favorite nurses, "Look what you did to me!" His favorite wisecrack was, "It's no fun being 39." One of Dad's neighbors at Las Ventanas described him as a 'rascal', which he definitely was. He loved a good practical joke and his 'rascal like' qualities helped him survive the Great Depression, WWII and succeed in business. Dad is survived by his sons, James Krupicka, and William P Keairnes, and daughter in law, Diane Keairnes. He was preceded in death by his wife Delores Keairnes and his daughter Lora Jane Keairnes. Dad leaves behind 8 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.