William L. McCarthy
May 10, 2016Share using:
William L. “Bill: McCarthy passed away on May 10, 2016 at Bethany Home in Dubuque, Iowa.
Funeral mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 14th, 2016 at St. Columbkille Catholic Church with Rev. Gabriel Anderson officiating. Entombment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery with military honors accorded by American Legion Post #6. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, May 13th at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road where a wake service will be at 3:45 p.m.
Bill was born on October 28, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois to Charles and Grace (McNamara) McCarthy. He was one of four children, brothers Charles Jr. (Dorothy) and John (Claire), and sister Dorothy. He leaves behind his wife of nearly 68 years, Eleanor.
Bill married the love of his life, Eleanor (Soltis) on November 6, 1948 in Chicago and they lived there until they moved to Dubuque in 1966. They have five children: Daniel (Janet) McCarthy, Maureen Kottman, David (Karen) McCarthy, Donald (Katy) McCarthy, and Maribeth Hughes. And five grandkids: Michael Kottman, Morgan (Erick) Hutson, Meredith (Jeremy) Mayra, Caroline McCarthy and Natalie McCarthy. In addition, Bill was the patriarch of the extended McCarthy clan which include nephews and nieces, great nephews and nieces, and great great nephews and nieces.
Bill and Eleanor became very attached to and involved in the Dubuque area community. They were members of St Columbkilles parish where Bill was very involved in committees and ushering at Mass. Originally moving to Dubuque with Keebler Cookies as a district manager, this was just a starting point in his career. He worked for many years in the kitchen and bathroom remodeling business and eventually started his own business. Eleanor worked alongside Bill in this business and others yet to come.
Their last business of nearly 30 years was B&E Brochure Services, which filled a unique niche in the pre-Internet world of promoting tourism to the region, connecting visitors and the area’s attractions. Bill and Eleanor retired from the business in 2014. Throughout his career, Bill was a great ambassador for Dubuque, working as a representative of the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce and Dubuque Tourism at regional shows and other events. His service and contributions have been recognized by several awards and honors.
Bill was very proud of his service to his country. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides) in North Africa and Italy. He was awarded several commendations including a Purple Heart. Later in life he would share his experiences with friends and family, and was an advocate for remembering the personal details of war, like the menu for Christmas dinner. It would be usual for Bill “not” to be wearing a 1st Armored Division hat or shirt. He was very involved in the Division’s reunion association over the years. A paver in his honor is at Dubuque’s Veterans memorial on City Island.
Bill’s Irish heritage was very important to him. St Patty’s Day was only the second most important day to his birthday. Of course, their wedding anniversary and Eleanor’s birthday were always the top of the list. His grandparents immigrated from Ireland in the 19th century where they eventually settled in Chicago. Bill was “second generation Chicago born Irish” and very proud of his family and his life growing up in the hard times before the war. Reminders of his Irish roots always filled the house.
Bill loved life and talking with everyone he encountered. And Bill loved dogs! There were always dogs around the house and they took to him immediately, although it may have been the treats and table scraps that were the real attraction! Probably his favorite dogs were Jody, a black lab, and Bailey, a cocker spaniel. Over the years his children and grandchildren provided Bill the opportunity to spoil a dozen or so other dogs in the family.
