William Lester Jr.

William Crosby Lester, Jr., 63, of Inverness, and formerly of Tama, Iowa, passed away Saturday, March 12, 2022, at St. Dominic Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Will was born May 10th, 1958, in Greenwood, to William Crosby Lester and Mollye Francis Watkins Lester. He worked as the Director of the Extension Service at Iowa State University and recently worked as a truck driver before retiring and moving back to Inverness to spend time with his family. Will was very kind and loved helping others. He didn’t mind his sacrifice to help anyone. Will had a contagious smile and will always be remembered as a gentleman. Above all, he had a strong devotion to his family and loved them all dearly.

Will was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Thea Bonette Lester.

He is survived by his sons, Anthony O’Dugan (Alison Maulsby) of Ankeny, Iowa, William Crosby (Amber) of Des Moines, Iowa, Corbin (Tiffanie) Lester of Maryville, Missouri; daughters, Tiara Luhn (Frank) of Jacksonville, Florida and Tasha Lester of Tama, Iowa;10 grandchildren, Hayden, Barrett, Luella, Emmett, Logan, Noah, Brecken, Bailey, Arwen, and Evan; two brothers, Hubert Lester (Tracy) of Inverness and David Lester (Jessica) of Cleveland; and two sisters, Melissa Hazelwood of Leland and Sherry McCormack of Neosho, Missouri.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 15, 2022, from 5:00 pm until 7:30 pm at Burton Funeral Home in Indianola. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Inverness. Burial will follow in Dozier and Lester Cemetery in Inverness. Burton Funeral Home of Indianola has been entrusted with arrangements.

Memorials may be made to All Saints Episcopal Church, PO Box 9, Inverness, MS 38753 or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1026 State St. Grinnell, Iowa 50112.