Bill Bolen, 86

Bill Bolen, 86, of Montezuma, passed away Thursday evening, Sept. 29, 2022, at UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma. Burial will be held in the Jackson Township Cemetery in Montezuma. Visitation will begin after noon Thursday, Oct. 6, at Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma with the family present from 5-7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Blue and White Athletic Department or the Montezuma Fire Department.

Charles William “Bill” Bolen was born Oct. 31, 1935, in Poweshiek County to Gerald and Eleanor “Lois” Swecker Bolen. Bill graduated from Montezuma High School in 1954 and went on to graduate from Drake University, while also playing varsity basketball. Sept. 8, 1956, he married his high school sweetheart Shirley Arendt at the Montezuma Methodist Church. They became the parents of two children, Mark and LeAnn. Bill began his career as a teacher at Lynnville-Sully and coached all levels of girls’ and boys’ basketball for 3½ years. In 1962, Bill and Shirley moved to Montezuma, and Bill began his 60-year career at the Peoples Savings Bank. He semi-retired from the bank when they began wintering in Palm Desert, CA, and also spent time in Phoenix, AZ. Bill loved his family and sports and attended every sporting event that he could that his children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren participated in. He enjoyed playing golf and had four holes-in-one during his lifetime.

Bill was a member of the Sully Lions Club, Montezuma Lions Club, Montezuma Jaycees, Montezuma Fire Department for 26 years, and officiated at the Drake Relays for 43 years. He was honored to be in the first class of inductees into the Montezuma Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016. He spent many hours as a starter for the high school track meets and as a high school referee. He was also a member of Montezuma Methodist Church and a member of the Iowa Bankers Association.

Bill is survived by his wife Shirley of Montezuma; his children Mark (Robin) Bolen of Montezuma and LeAnn (Steve) Chastain of Scottsdale, AZ; his grandchildren Bill (Jacki) Bolen, Dana Bolen, Curtis (Aimee) Bolen, Alan (Polly) Bolen, Logan (Bethani) Chastain, Connor Chastain, and Colin Chastain; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; one stepbrother Dan (Nancy) Agnew; as well as many other nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

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