William "Bill" G. Farmer

William G. "Bill" Farmer, 85 of Hinton, passed away on Friday, February 23, 2024 after a battle with cancer. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 1, 2024 at Sioux City Baptist Church. Visitation will be Thursday, February 29, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Burial will be at Melbourne Cemetery in rural Hinton. 

 

Bill was born the son of Vernon and Mildred (Spies) Farmer on September 21, 1938 in Le Mars, Iowa. He was raised on a number of farms in the Le Mars, Merrill, and Hinton area. Bill attended country school as a young boy. He also attended school in Hinton and graduated from Le Mars High School in 1956. After graduation, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy from 1956 to 1959. He served on the USS Hamul, a destroyer tender. Bill learned electrical, sonar, and radar skills while in the Navy. On June 17, 1962 Bill married his best friend and the love of his life, Connie Jo Kirby. They made their home in Hinton where they raised two sons, Bob and Steve.

 

Bill began his career with the City of Hinton in 1966 as Superintendent of Utilities. Bill’s career provided numerous duties and challenges such as changing and upgrading the city's electrical, water, and sewer infrastructure. Bill also served as City Marshal and Fire Chief. He was a member of the Sioux City Baptist Church from 1975 until his death. He served the church in various roles as an usher, trustee, and deacon.

 

After retiring, Bill served on the board of directors for Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative (NIPCO) and WIMECA. He also served on the City of Hinton Planning and Zoning Board.

 

Bill enjoyed traveling with Connie and collecting antiques. He also enjoyed collecting guns, hunting prairie dogs, and attending his grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s school and sporting events. 

 

Bill is survived by his sons, Bob and special friend, Shawn Petekavich of Anthon, IA and Steve of Sioux Falls, SD; five grandchildren, Amber Krause of Anthon, IA, Megan Farmer of Jacksonville, FL, Cody Farmer of Huron, SD, and Clay and Caden Farmer of Hartford, SD; and great-grandchildren, Kylah Krause, Kobe Krause, and Kyndall Krause of Anthon, IA.

 

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Mildred Farmer; wife, Connie; and sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Marlin Albright.

 

The family wishes to thank Care Initiatives Hospice for their compassionate care of Bill in his final days.