William “Bill” Bennett Blum, age 89, of Wall Lake, IA, passed away on Thursday, February 22, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, IA. Bill was born on December 27, 1928, to parents Dr. A.A. and Mava (Bennett) Blum in Omaha, NE.   He was raised in Wall Lake and was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith.  Bill attended grade school in Wall Lake and graduated from Wall Lake High School in 1946. Bill was inducted into the United States Navy on June 18, 1946, and was honorably discharged on April 17, 1948. He then continued his education at Creighton University in Omaha, NE.
   On August 1, 1949, Bill was united in marriage to the love of his life, Betty Ruth Cook, at St. Joseph’s Catholic  Church in Wall Lake by Father Daley. They were blessed with eleven children.                                                                                                             
   Bill was a dedicated police officer and retired as the Chief of Police in Wall Lake.  In his free time, he enjoyed fishing and hunting.  He liked to play poker and cards and picked up playing bingo in his later years.  Bill loved his family and was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.   
   Survivors include his children: William Jess (Becky) Blum of Sioux City, Steven Blum of Wall Lake, Craig (Lynette) Blum of Wall Lake, Toni Pfrimmer of Wall Lake, Phil Blum of Hokah, MN, Jerry (Julie) Blum of Wall Lake, Chuck Blum of Lake View, Rex Blum of Wall Lake, Joseph (Inger) Blum of Apple Valley, MN, John Blum (Laurie Owens) of Council Bluffs, and Mary Beth Lewis of Scottsdale, AZ; 28 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. Other survivors include sisters: Mary Schroeder of Wall Lake, IA, Lois Cave of Colorado Springs, CO, and Joanell (Leroy) Koster of Breda, IA; many extended family members and friends.
   Bill was preceded in death by his wife Betty Blum, parents, and two grandchildren: Brandon Blum and Lacey Lindner.