William James Musselman, 87, of Sac City, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at Park View Care Center in Sac City.
    
Bill was born near Sac City on December 15, 1920.  He was the son of Leroy Chester and Helen (Reed) Musselman.
    
Bill attended school in Sac City graduating in 1940.  During high school Bill participated in basketball, football and track.  During high school and after graduation, he worked for Mayberry’s Produce and for the Sac City Hatchery until his induction into the service in 1942.  He was in Alaska as a member of the Signal Corp.  During the summer of 1944 he returned to Sac City and on June 25, 1944, he and Thelma Elaine Martin were married.  Then Bill returned to Alaska to finish his service.  He was discharged in 1945 and returned home, where he was employed at the Sac City Hatchery until 1947.  He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Sac City.
    
In January of 1947, Bill and Thelma moved to their farm north of Sac City, where they still reside.  They are the parents of five children: Richard of Ames; Lindy Stamp and husband Kurt of Early; Billy and wife Glenna of West Des Moines; Raymond and wife Sandy of Early; and David and wife Karen of Newell.
    
Bill raised chickens, turkeys, and fancy pigeons as a hobby while farming.  Feeding cattle and grain crops were his main occupation.  He was Superintendent of the Poultry and Fancy Pigeon Department of the Sac County Fair for several years.  Many youngsters will recall the pleasure they had at watching and playing with the baby chicks that Bill had on display every year.  Bill liked to hunt and loved to fish and enjoyed fishing trips in Minnesota along with delivering fresh eggs to local neighbors.
   
Bill loved children including his grandchildren: Susan Schiffler and husband Fred of Idaho; Vicki Luy of Early; Thad Stamp and wife Missy of Early; Jeremy Musselman of Alta; Richie Musselman of Hawaii; Jason Stamp and wife Leslie of Rockwell City; B. J. Musselman and wife Kari of Lake City; Chris Musselman of Breda; Michael Musselman and wife Amanda of Sac City; Katie Williams and husband Bruce of Lytton; and sixteen great-grandchildren.
    
Bill was preceded in death by his parents Leroy Musselman and Helen Downs and step-father Edgar Downs; several aunts and uncles; brother Harold Musselman; sister Phyllis Huegerich; brother-in-law Paul Huegerich; parents-in-law Paul and Buelah Martin; and brother-in-law Dick Martin.
    
Bill is survived by his wife Thelma; their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Elaine Musselman of Colorado; brother and sisters-in-law: Bob and Eileen Martin and Bonnie Martin; several nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.
    
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, January 12th, at the United Methodist Church in Sac City with Pastor Vicki Fisher officiating.  Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.
    
Visitation is from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, January 11th at the funeral home in Sac City.