William "Bill" Dahl

William Lyle Dahl, 98, of Kanawha passed away Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at the Kanawha Community Home in Kanawha.

Funeral services for William Dahl will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 10:30 AM at the Kanawha Lutheran Church, 124 West Fourth Street in Kanawha with Pastors Geoffrey and Char White officiating.  Burial will be in the Amsterdam Township Cemetery near Kanawha with the Kanawha American Legion conducting full military honors

Visitation for William Dahl will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday, September 19, 2014 at the Ewing Funeral Home, 118 East Second Street in Kanawha and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

William Lyle Dahl was born September 6, 1916 on a farm 2 ½ miles northeast of Kanawha to Thomas and Esther (Gunsell) Dahl.  Family mother, father, sister Sadie, and brother Everett moved 4 ½ miles west of Kanawha where they lived for 11 years.  Bill quit school in 10th grade to help his dad farm. He was engaged in farming most of his life and was very active in community affairs.  Bill served a short time in the 8th Air Force finance division and was given an Agricultural Honorable Discharge to come back and farm.

He was married to Ruth Bergstrom on July 5, 1942.  In 1947 Bill and Ruth adopted Stephen from Lutheran Welfare at Mason City.

He served 15 years as director and secretary of the board of directors of the Farmers Elevator, 11 years director and secretary of the board of Kanawha Coop Oil Company, President of Magor Township school board, President of the A.B.C. Club. Director and President of the board of directors of the Kanawha Community Home.  He served as Commander and Chaplain of both local and county American Legion of which he was a member for over 60 years.  Bill was instrumental in starting the Avenue of Flags at Amsterdam Township Cemetery.

Bill served several years on the Kanawha Lutheran Church council and later as Deacon and Trustee, Superintendent and teacher of Sunday school, and choir member.

Bill took and active part in the annual Kanawha Labor Day Parade, by emceeing the parade, horse show and the evening program for many years.  In 1986 after helping for 40 years Bill was named the parade’s Grand Marshal.

Over a period of 45 years Ruth and Bill sang at many funerals.

They moved to town in 1977 but continued to farm until 1979 when he retired from farming.  He then worked at Miller Home Furnishings for seven years.  Every year at Christmas while working at Millers he played Old St. Nick.  He also loved to bowl and golf.

Ruth passed away on June 2, 2003 one month short of their 61 wedding anniversary.   Bill married Louise Smith Hoelscher on November 12, 2004.

Bill is survived by his daughter-in-law Dianne Dahl of Kanawha; grandchildren, Leslie Dahl of Huntsville, MO, Thomas and wife Laurie Dahl of Charlotte, MI; great-granddaughter Dorianne Miller of North Huntington, PA; sister-in-laws, Charlotte and husband Dallas Scharff of Des Moines, Esther and husband Harold Miller of Pocahontas; along with many extended family and friends.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Esther Dahl; two wives Ruth Dahl in 2003 and Louise Smith Hoelscher in 2013; son Stephen Dahl; sister Sadie Gentry; and brother Everett Dahl.