William V. 'Bill' Besser

      HARPER-William V. "Bill" Besser, 72, of Harper, died Thursday, April 8, 2004, at University Hospital in Iowa City, following a lengthy illness.

      A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 12, at Holy Trinity Parish-St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Harper, with the Rev. Marty Goetz officiating. Burial will be in St. Elizabeth Cemetery in Harper. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, at Powell Funeral Home in Keota, where there will be a Prayer Service at 7 p.m, followed by a Rosary. A general memorial fund has been established.

      Mr. Besser was born on Feb. 18, 1932, in Harper, to William T. and Madeleine (Striegel) Besser. On April 30, 1955, he married Jeanette M. Hammen in Harper.