A funeral Mass for Bill D. Paulsen, 91, of Durant, was held at noon on Saturday, Jan. 5, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Wilton. Visitation was from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass on Saturday at the church. Burial was in the Durant Cemetery, with graveside military honors by the Durant American Legion Post #430. The Bentley Funeral Home, Durant, assisted the family with arrangements.
Mr. Paulsen died Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, at the Wilton Retirement Community.
Bill Paulsen was born Jan. 25, 1927, on the family farm north of Walcott, the son of William and Anna (Griebel) Paulsen. He graduated from Davenport Central High School and attended the University of Missouri at Columbia and the University of Wyoming at Laramie.
He served in the U.S. Army as first sergeant of Canon Troop in the 1st Calvary in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II.
He married Margie Budelier on May 20, 1950, in Wilton. She died Dec. 11, 2014.
He began working at Liberty Trust and Savings Bank in 1947, and was eventually promoted to president and chairman of the Board of Directors, and he served as chairman emeritus until his death.
He served on the Durant City Council, the Durant School Board, the Durant Municipal Electric Board, the American Legion Post #430, the Sigourney Quail Hunters Club, and was commander of the American Legion Color Guard. He helped develop the "Living Limbs" park and walking path, the resoration of the Doran Cemetery, and the implementation of the Leland Smith Assisted Living Facility. He also volunteered at St. Mary's Catholic Church in various capacities, including board member and lector.
Survivors include his children, Mike Paulsen (Laurey Easland), Iowa City, Tom Wittman, Johnston, Jim (Cindy) Paulsen, Medina, Minn., Jane Paulsen, Solon, Lynne Paulsen (Bob Culbert), Johnston, and Heidi Paulsen (Ja Strating), Coralville; his grandchildren; and his great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Julie; his sisters, Mabel Nolte and Irene Paulsen; and his brothers, Wilbert and Eldon Paulsen.
Memorials may be made to the Bill Paulsen Memorial Fund.
Online condolences may be made at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.