Address
Locke on 4th
1519 W 4th St.
Waterloo, IA 50702
William C. “Bill” Kline, 73, of Waterloo, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2026, at his home.
He was born on January 18, 1953, in Waterloo, the son of Willard C. and Suzanne Loesch Kline. Bill graduated from Waterloo West High School in 1971 and was known for his contributions on the track and football teams. On April 26, 1980, he married Cynthia “Cindy” Horton in Waterloo. Following high school, Bill began working alongside his father at Kline Optical, where he dedicated his career for four decades, serving generations of families in the community. After his tenure at Kline Optical, Bill continued working at C&S Car Company for several years until his retirement. He was a longtime, active member of Trinity Episcopal Parish.
Bill is survived by his wife, Cindy Kline of Waterloo; his children, David (Amanda) Kline of Waterloo, Kristin (Shawn McQuade) Kline of Coralville, and Alexander (Katie Ellwanger) Kline of Waterloo; three grandchildren, Andrew, Nathanael, and Simon; and a brother, Richard (Ann) Kline.
Bill had a deep knowledge of and appreciation for all things Waterloo and West High activities and athletics. In 1999, he was inducted into the West High Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the 1970 state track championship winning 440 yard relay team. Bill also took an active role in his sons’ participation in Boy Scouts, earning the Sun Rivers District Award of Merit in 2007.
He was a talented woodworker and builder who could fix just about anything. Bill had a passion for classic sports cars and found joy in snow skiing, boating and spending time at Clear Lake with family and friends. Bill will be remembered for his love of his family, friends, and his community.
Locke at Tower Park is assisting the family, 319-233-3146.
Memorial Visitation
April 17, 2026
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Locke at Tower Park
4140 Kimball Ave., Waterloo, IA
Memorial Service
April 18, 2026
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Trinity Episcopal Parish of Waterloo
4535 Kimball Ave, Waterloo, IA
Sorry for your loss.
Thanks
My husband and I moved back to Waterloo in 2014 after living in Las Vegas for 20 years and we found a home right across the street from Bill and Cindy. After being here for a couple of years my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and passed away in November of 2023. There were times when my husband had difficulty with our snow blower and Bill would always lend a helping hand and even would plow our drive besides his own! After my husband passed away Bill helped me out a few times with hanging a light fixture, hooking up a new hose to a hose reel that I couldn’t figure out! He fixed a chair rung, let me use their Stihl leaf blower and gave me advice on what to do with my deck. I so appreciated his help and patience and all he wanted for pay was chocolate chip cookies, which I gladly made! The nicest neighbor anyone could have. My prayers for Cindy and the family, Bill will be missed most definitely.
Bill was truly a superstar of a person. There are not many people that are super in athletics, overall intelligence, sense of humor, and helping their fellow human beings in such an important aspect of their lives…one’s eyesight. I certainly remember that Larry, Joey, Steve, and Bill won the State Championships in the 440 Relay and enjoyed Larry’s (behind the scenes) commentary. Heck, Larry…you four would have won State even if it hadn’t been raining that day. My condolences go out to the entire Kline family. I want to thank Bill Eastman or as a lot of fellow Waterloo classmates would remember him as, Mr. Eastman, for letting me know about Bill. I have been fortunate to remain in contact with Mr. Eastman through tennis.
Thinking of all of you. A great husband, Dad and Grandpa. You are in our prayers. We will miss Bill so much but are forever blessed to have called him friend. With lots of love. Paul and Gina
My parents, Bill & Eleanor Close, spoke often of their association with Bill at Trinity Episcopal Parish. He was a tireless lay leader & a devoted friend to them both. When Bob & I moved back to the Cedar Valley, Bill was my optician. The best! May this dear man Rest In Peace & Rise In Glory.
It’s hard to find words. I’m so sad about this loss to Bill’s family, our classmates and our community. We grew up going to Irving Elementary and all through 12th grade together. Many of us went off to college to figure out life, but Bill solidly knew what he wanted to do and stepped into eventually taking over his dad’s optical business. I can’t count the number of times he fitted glasses for me, but the biggest favor was a rush job on new glasses after I’d scratched the corneas on both eyes just a few days before one of our class reunions. Our daughter Holly was one of their kids’ babysitters. Bill always kept up and shared news of our classmates and stepped up to help with reunions. I can’t imagine our next reunion without his kind, gentle presence, humor and smile. My deepest heart goes out to Cindy and their children and grandchildren as they process life on this new path.
The Kline’s took a chance and hired a 17 year old girl fresh off the farm. Forty-nine years later I am still working at what I will always think of as Kline Optical. Bill was my boss, my mentor, my advisor, and friend. I will truly miss him. You have my sincere sympathy!
I am shocked and saddened to learn of Bill’s passing. I will miss our conversations discussing rental properties. He was a great guy. My condolences to the family.
My deepest, heartfelt condolences to Cindy and family. The news of Bill’s diagnosis and then passing hit hard. I remember Bill as sharp, caring, helpful and up for a laugh and good time. I got to know Bill much better after high school. We took several skiing trips together including Colorado, attended concerts, would listen to “Yes” in his stereo chair at stadium decibel levels, and go on early morning jogs. Because of wearing specs since 9 yrs old, I and later my family were very good customers of Bill’s through the years. Including one particular pair of orange tinted “Elton John” glasses that I don’t think Bill’s dad saw. Different times! Will miss Biil’s smile and laughter that I heard so many times.
Bill Kline always had a majestic presence.
I first met him at West Junior in history class.
He was a hybrid of a very serious student, great athlete and fun loving person.
This all adds up to being A PERFECT PERSON!
Just months ago my brother attended the funeral of Bob DeKoster’s brother and was met by Bill in his church.
Bill took my brother under his wing and saw to it my brother received VIP care.
Bill related his relationship with me over the years.
I called Bill after that and it was as if not a moment lapsed from the West Junior days.
Bill was always a wonderful person who will be sorely missed.
God bless his memory…his loved ones and his great, beautiful life.
Sincerely, gil Lederman
Gil@rsny.org
I was very saddened to hear of Bill‘s passing. I probably knew Bill longer than any other friend that I had through high school as we went through Irving elementary together and Cub Scouts. I always enjoyed seeing Bill at various gatherings when I would come back to Waterloo to see my parents, he was fairly quiet, but he had a quick wit and I had a sense that he truly cared about people who had been friends with for a long time. Back in the 70s, I called Bill several times on a Sunday afternoon because I had broken my glasses and he would take me down to his dad‘s shop and fix me up usually at no charge. My sincere condolences to Cindy and all of his family. He definitely will be missed.
David, I am so sorry to have learned of your father’s passing. I know the pain you and your family are going through as my husband, Neil, died almost a year ago. Intense grief will subside as precious memories come into being
God Bless All Of You
My prayers and thoughts are with Cindy and family. Sorry to hear this. I remember him well at the time I knew him he was a young man working in the office with his Dad and quite involved in church
I am so very sorry to hear of Bill’s death. He was such an inspiration at Trinity Parish in Waterloo where his faithful attendance and service were models to many and to me. My heart is with the Klines as they mark this sad transition. May The Lord bless you and keep you.
I have a story to tell about Bill. We won state in the 440 yard relay when we were juniors. In order of how we ran there was: Joe Shulman, Steve Bearbower, Larry Martin, and Bill Kline. Dick Dotson had the foresight in bringing us all together when we were still in junior high school. I believe how we won is a story worth telling. I guess it is up to you if it is a story worth reading! In 1970 our biggest competitor was East Waterloo High School. They had the benefit of having as their anchor (a guy by the name of Henderson) that year’s 100 yard dash state champion. We ran against them quite often and I don’t remember us ever beating East Waterloo in the 440 yard relay. We are at our district’s tournament at Kingston Stadium in Cedar Rapids. The top two place winners would go on to run in the state meet. East Waterloo had the ideal lane which was lane 3 as they had the fastest time to date, as any of the teams in this particular race. We were in lane 5 I believe. Within an hour of having to run our race we had a major rainstorm. There was standing water in the inside lanes as tracks tended to slope upward from the inside to the outside so water would run from the outside lanes to the inside lanes. The officials decided to run the race anyway. In case you didn’t know it is much harder to run in water than not. East Waterloo ran in water while we ran in little or no water. At the end of the race we ended up getting 2nd place and East High did not qualify for state. We went to the state meet and ended up winning. Whether you believe in luck, predestination, happenstance how we won was extraordinary! I would add to that that Bill was an extraordinary person and I’ll cherish all the memories I have of him! Condolences to Cindy and family
Sending warm thoughts and peace to Bill’s family. What an incredibly nice guy.
My heartfelt sympathies. Losing parents but especially a spouse is so difficult. Bill was a nice guy. Prayers for all of you.
So sorry to hear that Bill passed away. Larry told the story beautifully. There is little i can add to it, except I will always remember the sight of Bill rounding the last curve at the state meet with a big lead, running like a runaway freight train. Nobody was going to catch him. Those 10 seconds are the highlight of my life. I am sure all of us on that team feel the same. Bill will always be in my heart and mind as that guy rounding the curve.
My deepest sympathy to Cindy and family. You are in my prayers. Sending love and hugs your way. Gail and Mike Maher
Heartwarming thoughts to Cindy and family. I was lucky to know and spend time with Bill. We were roommates in the late 70’s and enjoyed talking about the West High days. I was lucky to call him FRIEND. A life well lived.
I was so sorry to hear about Bill. I remember him in high school…on the football team and track team and senior chemistry class. It meant a lot that we recently connected again — especially sharing our hip replacements just a week apart. He was kind, easy to talk to, smart, and truly one of the good guys. I’m thinking of you and holding you and your family he was so proud of, in my prayers.
Cindy and family, I was so sad to read of Bill’s passing. Growing up, I was around Bill a lot as he was friends with my brother, Forry, and our parents were friends of his parents. As everyone has stated, he was the nicest guy and always talked to me even if I was Forry’s annoying little sister. My sincere condolences to you all.