William "Bill" Allen Hartig

   William (Bill) Allen Hartig left this world to be with the Lord at the age of 83 on Nov. 12, 2025, after a 2-year battle with Glioblastoma brain cancer. Born to Donald and Velma Hartig in Manson, IA on July 15, 1942. He grew up with 2 younger brothers: Tom and Ron and one younger sister, Wanda Johnson.

   He graduated from Manson High School. Then went to Iowa Central Community College and later in life obtained a Bachelor’s Degree at Buena Vista University. He joined the US Army Special Forces (Green Berets) for three years. He was very proud of the years spent serving his country.

   Bill married the love of his life Carol Prince on July 2, 1966. He also had a lifelong affair with a BMW motorcycle.

   With marriage came a son, Dave and daughter, Angie. Bill and Carol were also blessed with an extended family of foreign exchange students. Tomas (Yolilii) and Jose (Leana) Lopez Villar from Ferrol, Spain, Adam (Sasha) Galambos from Budapest, Hungary and Luda (Tyson) Trpkosh from Vinnytsya, Ukraine. Grandchildren: Alyssa Rusch, Molly Hartig, Ryan and Aaron Downing, Ruslanna, Mila, Nayhsta, Alexandra and Austin Trpkosh. Great-grandchildren: Declan Riedesal and Brooks Belding. Bill enjoyed special activities with his grandchildren examples being, dancing the hokey pokey, building a picnic table, and traveled on special trips to various states and other countries.

   He had the privilege and misfortune of growing up as a policeman’s son, so he went to neighboring towns just to be a teenager. Bill served as a volunteer fireman in his early years of marriage. He took classes to become an EMT and was also an avid scuba diver. Bill’s love for long drives on his motorcycle reflected in his adventurous personality and free spirit. He rode his motorcycle with a helmet with his ear exposed. One night when he was riding a lightening bug went into his ear. Later, when in the dark and in bed he lit up, and a night light was not needed. He was a manufacturing engineer at Winnebago Industries in Forest City and Crane Company in Washington, IA. He retired from Eaton’s after 26 years. He went to Western Iowa Tech to achieve a CDL license and drove over the road for several years because he always wanted a job with a window seat.

   One of his trademarks was his witty humor and smirky smile. Bill’s motto during his battle of cancer was “I’m doing the best I can.” His strong-willed personality allowed him to never use the phrase” I can’t do that”.

   Survived by wife, Carol of 59 years; one son, Dave (Melissa); one daughter, Angie (Daniel); 9 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; foreign exchange students; 2 brothers, sisters-in-law, cousins and friends.

   We ask that you remember him not for how his life ended but for the way it was lived and the impact it had on the lives of those who had the pleasure of knowing him.