William Canady

WILLIAM RALPH CANADY

Ottumwa

William Ralph Canaday, 71, of Ottumwa, passed away at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines on Nov. 8, 2021.

Bill was born Oct. 2, 1950, to Ralph and Alvastine Scotton Canaday in Keosauqua, Iowa. He graduated from Van Buren High School in 1968. He then joined the U.S. Navy in 1969 and was honorably discharged in 1975. He was a proud Vietnam War veteran.

Bill graduated from Iowa Tech with an AA degree, then spent several years as a field engineer in the Arizona and Chicago areas. He then moved back to Ottumwa and was employed by Indian Hills Community College as an instructor in the ATC building for 23 years. During this time, he furthered his education by obtaining an AAA degree from IHCC, a Bachelors degree from Buena Vista University and a Masters degree from St. Ambrose College.

Bill married Kathryn Davis on Jan. 1, 1992, and they enjoyed 29 years of a wonderful marriage. Bill and Kathy loved to camp, play golf and travel all over the United States. They had visited every state in the U.S., except Alaska. He was a loving, kind man and will be missed by many.

Bill is survived by his wife, Kathy; children, Chad (Cheryl) Canaday and Cheree' Canaday, both of Davenport; grandchildren, J D Hoover, Kylee Canaday, Trey Canaday and McKenna Canaday; sisters, Sue (Ron) Fischer of Fairfield, Judy (Gary) McCarthy of Colorado and Marcia Kelly of Keosauqua; a brother, Michael (Teresa) Canaday of Stockport; and brothers-in-law, Mike Davis (Larissa) of North Carolina and John Davis (Patty) of Kansas.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Donna Wilcoxson and Nancy Franklin; two brothers, Richard King and Robert Canaday; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Dow and Helen Davis; and brother-in-law, Andy Davis.

Per Bills' request, his body has been cremated. No services are planned. Bill and Kathy were always together and their wish is to be buried together at Van Meter Veterans Cemetery whenever God calls Kathy home.

A Celebration of Life for Bill will be held in the Spring in Keosauqua, Iowa. Memorials can be mailed to Heartland Humane Society, P.O. Box 1149, Ottumwa, IA 52501. Bill loved all his dogs and cats and I'm sure they all greeted him when he arrived in Heaven.

Reece Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.