Bill Lamb, 93, of Greenfield

Graveside Services: Will be held on Monday, December 30, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Adel, Iowa. Full military graveside rites will be conducted by the Greenfield American Legion Head-Endres Post No. 265 and V.F.W. Post No. 5357, Fontanelle Carlson American Legion Post No. 247 and the Army Military Funeral Honor Guard. The Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com. 

Open Visitation: Will be held on Sunday, December 29, at the Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Family Visitation: The family will greet friends on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield. 

Memorials: May be directed to the Greenfield Volunteer Fire Department, Fontanelle Volunteer Fire Department or to the Care Initiatives Hospice in Greenfield. 

Billy Duane Lamb passed away on December 22nd, 2024 at the Community Care Center in Stuart. 

Bill was born on December 2nd, 1931, to Forrest “Bud” & Lorna (Cunningham) Lamb in Greenfield, Iowa. He was the oldest of 5 children, Joe, Dean “Sam”, Viola “Sue” & Lorna Jean “Jeannie”. He grew up on a farm north of Greenfield and went to country school at Prussia #5. He graduated from Greenfield High School class of 1949. He loved sports and often reminisced on his football and track achievements. 

Bill was united in marriage to Mary Lou Bayman on October 11, 1952. They have been happily married for 72 years.

He was drafted into the Army in November 1952 with Basic Training in Camp Polk, LA and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. Bill achieved the rank of E-5 in the Field Artillery Headquarter Battery. He was proud of his service and talked about his time in the Army often. Bill was honorably discharged in November 1954. He was very proud to have been chosen for the Honor Flight to Washington DC & Arlington Cemetery in 2018. He commented that it was a great experience. He was often amazed at the questions young people asked him about the Army and his service. He was a lifelong member of the Fontanelle American Legion and a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 15016.

Bill and Mary Lou spent lots of time square dancing and kept busy with their four children, Jerry, Joni, Nancy, and Mike. They raised their children south of Greenfield on their farm. Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman in his younger years and enjoyed taking his kids and grandkids with him. Raccoon, coyote and deer hunting were his favorites. Horses were a family passion and they had horses around for many years.

Bill and Mary Lou both drove the school bus route, picking up students from school and after-school events. Bill really enjoyed the company of the kids and watching the sporting events.

Bill held many positions in addition to farming. After a short course on Dairy Herd Information in Ames, he tested milk in Adair and Madison County. He worked construction for Hargrove, was County Commissioner for the ASCS, a Board member for the Farmers COOP, County Supervisor for Adair County, and RC&D Board assistant Soil Commissioner. Bill started a tiling business with his brother Sam. Eventually, that business was sold to his son Mike and is still successful today.

Throughout his lifetime, he was a die-hard Chicago Bears fan. The climax was going to the Super Bowl in 2007, where, unfortunately, the Bears lost to the Colts. Regardless, it was a great time and one to remember. He looked forward to attending sporting events, graduations and any other activities his kids, grandkids and great grandkids participated in. Bill also loved going to Mike’s drag boat races to watch him compete and visit with a number of friends he met there over the years. 

Bill’s work ethic and dedication to his family were passed on to their four children. Bill was very proud of their accomplishments and successes in life. Bill’s charisma was never unnoticed, and his family often notes that he has never met a stranger. He will be missed deeply.

Bill is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Lamb; four children, Jerry (Jane) Lamb of Cape Coral, FL, Joni Baker of Urbandale, IA, Nancy Gruss of Van Meter, IA, and Mike (Tanya) Lamb of Greenfield; seven grandchildren, Jason Lamb, Jessica (Justin) Askren, Trisha Gruss, Tony (Heather) Gruss, Jan (Henry) Gavilanes, Patrick Baker, Shawn (Athena) Vetterick; seven great grandchildren; brother, Sam Lamb of Lakeview, Oregon; two sisters, Sue (Mark) Lancaster of Atwater, California and Jeannie (Don) Minnick of Mesa, Arizona; as well as many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Joe, of Greenfield. 

We extend a special thanks to the staff at the Community Care Center in Stuart, IA and to the Care Initiatives Hospice nurses and staff.