WILLIAM ROUSE
Indianola

William "Willy" Elmer Rouse, 72, returned to his heavenly home on Monday, March 27, 2017 after an all too brief battle with dementia.  His devotion to his children, granddaughter and love of all of his family supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace.

Willy was born to the late Elmer and Hazel (Mishler) Rouse, in Waterloo, IA on January 30, 1945.  Shortly after his birth, he and his family moved to Indianola, IA where he graduated from Indianola High School in 1964.  After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy on November 20, 1964, and was assigned to the USS Bexar. He served our country until November 19, 1968.  Medals he earned include the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal.

Willy's favorite hobby was playing pool, and he was well known as a pool shark in social circles. He won a local pool tournament in 1978, which qualified him to compete in a national pool tournament in Reno, Nevada.  He was a very social person who had many friends and acquaintances, and was well liked by all who knew him. When he wasn't playing pool, he worked at Fawn Engineering (The Wittern Group) in Clive, IA and retired in 2000.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Marsha Bean and Sharon Byers.  He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Eastman; son, Jason Rouse; granddaughter, Ava Eastman; brother-in-law, Archie (Sharon) Byers; and nieces and nephews .

Services will be held 7 p.m., Friday, March 31 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola with visitation held prior to services at the funeral home starting at 4 p.m. Per Willy's wishes, following services his body will be donated to the Des Moines University for study. Burial of cremains will be at a later date in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at Van Meter, IA. Memorials in Willy's name may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.