Obituary of William G. Mitchell

William G. “Bill” Mitchell, 84, of Iowa City, passed away at home Sunday, August 7, 2016. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Thursday at the Gay & Ciha Funeral Service in Iowa City. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bill’s name may be directed to the Salvation Army. Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.gayandciha.com. William Guy “Bill” Mitchell was born March 11, 1932 in Crawfordsville, Iowa, the son of Max and Olive (Herring) Mitchell. He attended the Crawfordsville School and graduated in 1949. He attended Washington, Iowa Junior College after high school and graduated from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa in 1953. His graduation came at the time of the Korean War and he enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed in Munich, Germany for 15 months and was able to travel in Europe during that time. He was released from active duty in May of 1955. On June 26, 1955, he married the love of his life, Majel “Madge” Arthur in Ainsworth, Iowa. Bill continued his education and received two graduate degrees from The University of Iowa, a Master of Arts in 1960, and a Specialist in Education in 1967. He started out as a coach and social studies teacher and later became a guidance counselor. Bill’s teaching career took them from Volga, to Columbus Junction, to Fairfield, and ended up in Iowa City in 1965. After working at Central Junior High in Iowa City, Bill was a guidance counselor at Iowa City West High School from its opening in 1968 until his retirement from teaching in 1993. After his early retirement from the school system he worked for 10 years as a seasonal worker at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City. A son, Mark, was born in 1957, followed by a daughter, Judy, in 1958. The family enjoyed annual summer vacations around the United States. After Mark and Judy were on their own, Bill and Madge continued traveling, with three trips to Europe, numerous Hawkeye Bowl Games, and trips to Canada and Hawaii. Their Grandson Luke accompanied them on vacations for six years. Bill belonged to St. Marks United Methodist Church, Cedar Valley Rock and Mineral Society, Iowa City Genealogical Society, The University of Iowa Alumni Association, and National Education Association. He was an avid Hawkeye fan and I-Club member. He is survived by son Mark (Jacquelyn) Mitchell of Iowa City, daughter Judy (Terry) Strackbein of Barboursville, Virginia, grandchildren Luke Mitchell of North Liberty, Sarah Mitchell of Chicago, and Emily Mitchell of Cedar Rapids, and brother, Jerry (Patti) Mitchell of Iowa City. He was preceded in death by his wife Madge in 2008, and his parents.