William ‘Bill’ Alan Wolfe

William “Bill” Alan Wolfe, 67, of Charles City, Iowa, died of complications due to the COVID-19 virus on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020 at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City, Iowa with his two youngest daughters, Amy and Olivia, by his side.

Bill was the first born to Roger and Elaine (Doughten) Wolfe, on the base of Fort Benning, Georgia on Sept. 22, 1953. The family moved often due to Roger’s military service in the Air Force. Bill graduated from high school at Farmington, Illinois. After graduation Bill worked for nearly four decades at Salsbury Laboratories and its later affiliates in Charles City, Iowa, until his retirement in 2012. He later went back to school and got a degree in graphic design at North Iowa Area Community College. Bill was a member of the Knights of Columbus and Elks Lodge No. 418.

Bill was well known as a musician in the area for such bands as “Hammerin’ On”, “The Country Blue Boys”, and “Endless Summer” which was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. Bill mainly played the guitar and keyboards, for which he was self-taught and performed lead vocals. Bill also moonlighted as a DJ and karaoke performer at local businesses, weddings and family events.

Bill was a hit in several productions for the Stony Point Players, including but not limited to “The Nerd”, “Stalag 17” and “No Sex Please, We’re British”. Bill performed with his son, William, in “Nunsense Amen” as well as son, John, who was in the crew. Bill also performed in “The Wizard of Oz” with daughters, Amy and Olivia. Bill passed on his acting and musical talents to his children. William, John, Amy and Olivia, performed in multiple school, high school and Stony Point productions in Charles City.

Bill was quite the comedian. He often told jokes and gave spot-on impressions of persons like Rodney Dangerfield, Pat Buttram and characters from the Looney Tunes. He could entertain others for hours completely by improvisation.

Bill was artistic in other ways as well. Bill excelled in photography, drawing and woodworking and even built the sets and props for several productions like “Cinderella”, which used the carriage he built on stage. Bill also built his family home on Freeman Street in Charles City. He enjoyed fishing, bicycling and spending time outdoors.

Bill could do anything. He was able to repair things and create and build furnishings from his own design. He could figure out how to make things work. For example, he made his own outdoor theater screen for his backyard use long before he bought a commercial one in later years. Bill was interested in vintage cars and maintained the family vehicles.

Bill is survived by his seven children: Basia (C.J.) Bryan-Battiste of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Barry (Teresa) Wolfe of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Carl Wolfe of Anchorage, Alaska, William (Hannah) Wolfe of Des Moines, John (Susie) Wolfe of Nampa, Idaho and Amy and Olivia Wolfe of Johnston. Bill also is survived by his mother, Elaine of Charles City; brother, Bob (Martha) Wolfe of Detroit, Michigan; sister, Elizabeth “Bebe” (Jeff) Naatz of Cresco; six grandchildren; along with several nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, Roger (who also died of COVID-19 on Nov. 27, 2020). Bill and Roger join the nearly 300,000 Americans to have lost their battle with the virus.

The family is planning a celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials and donations to the Stony Point Players, 1208 Clark Street, Charles City, IA, 50616.

Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.