Services for 96-year-old Wilson Louie McCurdy, of Panora, will be held Tuesday, January 5th at 11:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Panora. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Twigg Funeral Homes is in charge of the arrangements.
Wilson Louie McCurdy, 96, son of Arthur and Ellen (Williams) McCurdy, was born on May 18, 1924 in Coon Rapids, Iowa. He passed away Monday, December 28, 2020 at the New Homestead in Guthrie Center, Iowa.
Willie graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1941. As a young man, Willie and his brothers traveled with Roy Couch’s Entertainment of Monteith, Iowa setting up and operating carnival rides in various locations. He often talked about his horse and his first Indian Motorcycle. It was that motorcycle that he road up the railroad tracks when the gravel road was impassable, to call on Margaret Miller. He and Margaret were married on January 15, 1945 at the Monteith Christian Church, with his brother, John officiating. Willie and Margaret lived in rural Menlo a short time before moving to a small house in Panora. They purchased a one-room schoolhouse south of Panora and moved it to 214 West Jackson. Willie, along with his father, Arthur and brother, Harold, transformed the schoolhouse into their home. In 1994, they moved into the new house they built together at 213 West Jackson, across the street.
Willie operated the Sinclair Gas Station in Panora for a few years. In 1960, he was hired by Northern National Gas Company and worked as the fleet mechanic at the Redfield plant until his retirement. Willie loved to work on cars, talk about cars and buy and sell cars. He spent many Saturday’s working for Headlee Ford in Coon Rapids, alongside his brother, Louie. After retirement, Willie worked for Bob and Jo’s Trailer Sales in Guthrie Center. He loved the opportunity to talk with people.
He and Margaret were blessed to celebrate 72 years of marriage together. They enjoyed hosting family events and always wanted to hear about the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As a resident of the New Homestead, the telephone became his connection to family and friends. He was always ready for the various bus trips and daily activities in which he was able to visit with others. He especially enjoyed the First Christian Church Men’s Fellowship, whether at his house or at the New Homestead.
Wilson is survived by his children, Don (Kathy) McCurdy of Dundee, Iowa; Darwin (Deb) McCurdy, of Linden, Iowa; Ann (Brian) Lupkes of Latimer, Iowa. Grandchildren: Jim, Andrea, Katie, Kara, Lindsey, Amy, Andrew, Sarah, Hannah, John: 15 great-grandchildren and 1 foster great-grandchild, a sister, Georgia (Jack) Davis of Jefferson, Iowa and brother, Gary (Virginia) McCurdy of Washington, Iowa; along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; his parents, infant son, Lynn; brothers, John, Louis, Harold, Gerald and sisters, Helen and Donna, and half-sister, Melveen.
Memorials may be left to the First Christian Church, 102 E. Church, P.O. Box 130, Panora, IA 50216
