William Emett Lane

William E. "Bill" Lane, 90, passed away Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at the Lakeview Landing, Friendship Village. He was born October 9, 1930 in Madrid, Iowa, son of Gerald and Ruth (Johns) Lane. He graduated from high school in Lovilia, Iowa and UNI. He served in the United States Navy. Bill married Jo-Ann Zimmerman on November 11, 1951, in Lovilia; she died July 25, 2017.

He began his teaching career at West Jr. in 1959. From 1961-1991 he taught at West High School and coached their basketball, football, and tennis teams. He was known as "Coach Wild Bill Lane" and has always been a West High Wahawk. He was inducted into the Wahawk Elite Coaches Hall of Fame. After retirement, Bill continued to play tennis competitively receiving many awards and accomplishments along the way such as, Senior Olympics, Iowa Tennis Hall of Fame, only to mention a few.

Bill and Jo wintered in Tucson, Arizona for 20 years, playing tennis, a round of golf, always on the go. They referred to their home in Arizona as "Paradise." They spent summers with family always enjoying the Mississippi River fishing and traveling to see everyone.

He is survived by his daughters, Vicki Mauer and her husband Jay Anthony of Cedar Falls, Linda Lehti of Columbia, Tennessee, and Pat Walters and her husband Tom of Bettendorf; six grandchildren: Amy Galvin, Melissa (Sam) Winberg, Jerad Porth, Brian (Jackie) Walters, Sara (Nick) Ballinger, and Jennifer (Luke) Lawson; ten great grandchildren: Jay, Anthony and Mya Galvin, Isabella and Sloane Winberg, Isabeau and Persephone Walters, Zoie and Madeline Lawson, and Sydney Ballinger; and his sisters, Alice Stenseth of Calmar, Iowa and Bette Lindell of West Union, Iowa.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife; great grandson, Carter; brothers, Robert and Richard Lane; sisters, Nadine Taggart and Edna Hamilton; and a son in law, Sonny Lehti.

Bill was loved by all that knew him. His contagious smile and everlasting humor always filled the room. He will long be remembered and missed. A very special, "Thank You" to the staff at Friendship Village who started as friends and soon became family.