William Greiner

William H. (Bill) Greiner, 87, Ankeny, passed away on Dec. 24 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Dec. 29, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, in Ankeny.

Bill was a devoted family man, a faithful member of his church and community and was a pioneer in the fields of soil conservation and agricultural lending over a long career serving Iowa agriculture.

Bill was born at Farlin on Dec. 5, 1927, the son of Harry and Clara Greiner. He was raised on the family’s 120 acre crop and livestock Century Farm. He attended grade school in Farlin, graduated from Jefferson High School and received a degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University in 1949. On June 18, 1950, Bill was married to Carla Ferguson. Bill and Carla made their home in and around Jefferson as Bill was engaged in farming and teaching veterans.

Bill and Carla moved to Ankeny in February 1956 as Bill joined the Iowa Department of Soil Conservation, becoming its director in 1957, where he had a distinguished career. One of the signal events of his directorship was the 1972 appropriation of the first-in-the-nation state cost-share funds for soil conservation practices, which became a model for other states. Bill was presented the Iowa Master Farmer Exceptional Service Award by Wallaces Farmer in 1975.

In 1980 Bill became the first director of the Iowa Family Farm Development Authority. This was a landmark farmer loan program, another first-in-the-nation, since duplicated by 20 other states. It provided a gateway for entry by young and beginning farmers into farming who might otherwise have been excluded. Bill served as chairman of the National Council of State Agricultural Finance Programs for more than 10 years and was recognized nationally for his collaborative spirit and leadership. He was often referred to as “the Godfather of the nation’s beginning farmer loan programs.” Bill retired in Nov. 1994 but his reputation as an advocate for beginning farmers continues to rank high even today. Gov. Branstad recently recognized Bill for his innovation and leadership and said of him: “He’s a great pioneer, a great citizen of Iowa, and I’m proud to provide this honor.”

Bill and Carla devoted countless hours in support of their church, Holy Trinity Lutheran in Ankeny, through such programs as Paint, Pound and Praise. Since Bill was a skilled woodworker, he was frequently called on to build baptismal picture frames and a variety of other handsome accessories to enhance the church. Bill also shared his woodworking talents with his family, creating beautiful furniture from homegrown walnut and more.

Bill loved his family, especially his wife Carla. Their devotion to one another has been a wonderful model for their children and grandchildren. Bill looked forward to the annual family vacation at Lake Okoboji and the time spent relaxing and celebrating with the extended family. Bill enjoyed hunting deer and pheasant, golf, Tripoli and sharing stories with many friends in agriculture and the community.

Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carla; two daughters, Sue (Jim) Meimann of Des Moines, Carol (Randy) Colwell of Columbia, Mo. and one son Mark (Pam) Greiner of Edina, Minn.; Grandchildren Katie O’Neill, Natalie Bass, Meredith Feher, Megan Mortier, Anna Greiner, Will Greiner, Claire Greiner; Great Grandchildren, Parker Bass, Bennett Bass, Jimmy O’Neill and Charlie Mortier.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Ankeny or Mercy Hospice-Johnston.   
Online at www.MemorialServicesOfIowa.com
 

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