Willard “Bill” L. Gifford Sr, age 86, of Sergeant Bluff passed away on Friday May 2, 2014 at his residence.

Memorial services will be held at 7:00 pm Thursday May 8, 2014 at Waterbury Funeral Service in Sergeant Bluff. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 6-8 pm at the chapel. Online condolences for the family may be made at www.waterburyfuneralserviceinc.com.

Bill was born on December 11, 1927 in Sioux City, the son of George and Dorthia (Rhine) Gifford. He attended Sioux City schools. He later moved to Waterloo, Iowa until he entered the United States Navy during World War II. He was united in marriage with Margaret Ruth Behrnds on Waterloo, Iowa and the couple moved to Sioux City in 1960. Margaret preceded him in death on December 9, 2008 in Sioux City.

Bill worked as a cement finisher working on many projects including the Port Neal Power plants and Southern Hills Mall. An injury forced his early retirement from cement work. He was a member of Local # 41 of the Cement Finishers Union.

He was an active outdoorsman, who enjoyed taking care of his horses, and hunting.

His life and memories will be missed by his family which includes his son Bill Jr and his wife JJ of Sioux City, step son Mike Burns of Paulina, Iowa and step daughter Melinda Ihlendfeldt of Mesa, Arizona, two sisters: Lyla Mehess and Margaret Ping both of Sioux City, a brother-in-law John Gardner of Waterloo, Iowa, 6 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, three brothers and one sister.

The family requests that memorials in his name be made to Trinity Heights in Sioux City.