01/24/2009
William Lee “Billy” DeRaad was born on April 29, 1949, in Knoxville, Iowa. He was one of two children born to Vera Mae Whitlatch and William DeRaad. Billy grew up in the Knoxville area.
Billy worked for a couple of years at Pella Corp before beginning his career as a coal miner. He worked a few years in Kentucky before returning to the Knoxville mines.
Billy always liked to fish: in rivers, streams, lakes, or ponds. He frequently took his fishing boat. In later years Billy did scraping with his brother-in-law, Martin.
Billy liked to socialize with friends and have a friendly game of pool. Some of his most enjoyable times were spent with his grandchildren.
Due to poor health, the last three years were spent living with his sister and brother-in-law, Donna and
Martin. Donna was a faithful caregiver during this time.
Billy passed away at home on Saturday, January 24, 2009, at the age of 59 years, 8 months, and 25 days.
Preceding him in death were his parents and daughter, Stacey Laird DeRaad.
Those family members left to mourn his passing are two children, April DeRaad and her fiance, Kenny Washington of Knoxville, and Isac’ DeRaad and his wife, Angela of Albia; one sister, Donna Laird and her husband, Martin of Knoxville; 8 grandchildren; Colby, Tre, Aliyah, Isaiah, Tyler, Andrew, Stacey, and Branden; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Memorials in memory of Mr. De Raad may be made “To His Family.”
Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, rural Marion County, Iowa.