William Sigurd Jorgensen

William Sigurd Jorgensen, of Fairfield, Iowa, passed away at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown on Oct. 2, 2015.

Bill was born on June 11, 1924 in Jersey City, New Jersey to Sigurd Aksel and Josephine Reid Jorgensen.

He joined the Army Air Corps and served as a sergeant in World War II in the Pacific as a flight engineer. He earned a bachelors degree from Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, with a degree in secondary education and did graduate work at UCLA in literature.

When Bill was working in New York City after the war he met Rachel Snyder Lyne and they married six months later on August 24, 1946 in Shepherdstown. Bill had a career in sales, marketing and consulting until retirement. Wherever he lived he was always an active church member, most recently at First Presbyterian in Fairfield. He served as elder and deacon in various congregations and his favorite church activity was singing in the choir. He had a beautiful baritone voice and was often called upon to sing solos and to sing at weddings and funerals. In addition to performing and listening to music, Bill loved to travel, especially with his dear wife. They traveled extensively in the U.S., Canada and around the world, making friends wherever they went. He also loved to play bridge with family and friends and was a member of a contract bridge organization which he enjoyed when he traveled on business. Most of all, his favorite activity was spending time with his family.

Family gatherings for holidays or just a simple meal meant so much to him. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Bill had a very strong faith and truly lived his life according to the golden rule.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his brother, Robert Jorgensen. He is survived by his sister, Sigrid Johnson of Wrentham, Massachusetts; his son, Carl (Camille) Jorgensen of Stamford Connecticut, and his daughter, Mary (Gary) Gagnon of Fairfield; and four grandchildren Joseph Jorgensen, Julia Jorgensen, Paul Gagnon and Martha Gagnon.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Reformed Church in Shepherdstown at 11 a.m. Oct. 24 and the ashes will be interred at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Iowa Veterans Home or Christ Reformed Church. Cards and memorials may be sent care of Mary Gagnon, 703 South D St., Fairfield, IA 52556 or online condolences can be made to the family at www.andersonfhs.com.