William "Bill" Howell

William (Bill) Howell, 82, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2026, at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa surrounded by family and love.
A Celebration of Life for Bill will take place on February 21, 2026, from 1-4 p.m. at Bethany Life, 212 Lafayette Ave., Story City, IA. Family will be present beginning at 1 p.m., with a brief service at 2 p.m., followed by a social gathering until 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to Judge Story Theatrical Troupe, an organization that brought him much joy - judgestorytroupe.org/billhowell
Bill was born on December 11, 1943, to Mary (Newitt) Howell and Lawrence A. Kennedy at Mountainside Hospital in Glen Ridge, NJ. Bill's early life was spent between New Jersey and Massachusetts, eventually graduating from Bloomfield H.S. in 1963. Bill's mother died from cancer when he was 14 and while he never completely recovered from her loss he had three strong and loving women step in to support him throughout his life. His grandmother Audrey Newitt, his aunt Audrey Bollin, and Janice Kennedy who truly became his second mother.
After high school Bill entered the US Air Force where he dutifully served for 4 years during the Vietnam War. Upon his return, Bill settled in Boston where he met and married Carol A. (McDermott) Howell. They had one daughter, Mary Catherine Howell (Sirna). While Bill and Carol were only married for five years, they remained life-long friends and set the bar for what loving co-parenting should be.
Bill graduated with his B.S. from Curry College and his M.A. from Suffolk University. He then obtained his teaching certificate from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1972. This was the beginning of a teaching career that started at Marshfield High School in Massachusetts and continued through 26 years of teaching in the Windsor public school system, both at Windsor High School and Sage Park Middle School, in Windsor, CT. As a business teacher, he was influential in helping chart many students' future career paths. He loved his teaching team in Windsor and considered them family.
Bill's chosen profession allowed him to spend quality time with his daughter. Although Mary was raised in Iowa, she regularly spent holidays and six weeks every summer in Cambridge, MA with her Dad, their German Shepherd "York" and a neighborhood of friends. During these summers the two had incredible adventures: riding bicycles through Harvard yard, roller skating along the Charles river, attending Red Sox games, celebrating the 4th of July with the fireworks and the Boston Pops and then ending every summer driving to NJ in this red International truck to spend time with the Kennedys--his parents and six siblings.
It was also during Mary's childhood that Bill pursued his love of flying, first obtaining his pilot's license and then his flight instructor rating which allowed him to do what he loved most - teach others. He loved the freedom of flying and the unique perspective it gave him on the world. Upon moving to Connecticut in the mid-80s, Bill found a second home at Skylark Airport, often flying out to breakfast with friends before the school day started. Bill was known for his sense of humor and for doing the occasional loop, barrel roll or buzzing family members' homes in his beloved Cessna plane.
With his teaching background, he was also instrumental in generating his daughter's interest in, and acceptance, to Mount Holyoke College. He will always be remembered by Mary's friends for coming to the MHC rugby games and parties, tipping his wings over Mount Holyoke's campus just to say hi, attending her performances and flying a congratulations banner over their graduation. He was a proud father who relished sharing life with his daughter.
Bill was also a proud father-in-law and grandfather, who wholeheartedly embraced the title of Grandpa Bill when Sam and Ella were born. He was known for visiting Sam and Ella's schools, sending crates of oranges to their classes and talking the ears off many a schoolteacher.
Grandpa Bill took great interest in their activities, attending athletic events and many high school performances, especially Ella's senior year. He also had his hand in Sam's college choice, being the one to accompany Sam for his pre-college visit to Grinnell College. Grandpa Bill was the consummate cheerleader.
Following his retirement in 2009, Bill moved to Florida where he hoped to live out his life in "Jimmy Buffet fashion". However, Margaritaville was not meant to be, and it was there he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and dementia. In 2019, it was decided that the "Jersey boy" would become an "Iowan". For the last 6 years, Mary, Peter, Sam and Ella had the privilege of having Grandpa Bill first in Ames and then for the last 4 years just down the block at Bethany Life in Story City. Through it all, Bill never lost the twinkle in his eye, his mischievous smile, or his ability to recognize people - a true gift. He will be remembered as a devoted father, an amazing grandfather, a cherished sibling, a true teacher, and one of the sweetest men to have ever graced this earth.
Bill is survived by his daughter Mary Catherine Howell Sirna (Peter), his grandchildren Samuel Peter Sirna and Ella Maria Howell Sirna, his siblings, Carol Kennedy Krum (Jesse), David Kennedy (Dawn), Christine Kennedy Urdang (Jerry), Annette Kennedy Farrell, Robert Kennedy-Martinez (Oscar), his sister-in-law Sharon Kennedy, his aunt Audrey Bollin and his two cousins, Susan Scauzillo (Pete) and Robin Messina as well as countless nieces and nephews, Carol Howell, and his special friend Lois Long.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary (Newitt) Howell, his father, Lawrence Kennedy, his second mother, Janice Kennedy, and his brother, Steven Kennedy.
Bill's entire family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Bethany Life who cared for him and made Charlene's Place feel like home both for Bill and his family.