William Wellington Osborne

   William Wellington Osborne (Bill), of rural Milford passed peacefully early in the morning of Sunday, February 22nd, at the age of 77 after a nearly three-year battle with cancer.

   Bill was born on July 28, 1948, in Estherville, Iowa to Duane and Alma Osborne of Spirit Lake. He was greeted by an already bustling family including brother Robert (Bob), sister Annette, brother James (Jim) and would be joined by siblings Dennis and Nancy in the years to come. His childhood was highlighted by swimming and fishing trips to the lake with his brothers and learning the precision and craftsmanship of woodworking from his father. As he got older, he developed an affinity for football and cars which would continue into his adult life. Upon graduation from Spirit Lake High School as a member of the Class of 1966, he would briefly attend Iowa Lakes Community College while working at Consumers Lumber and would eventually begin using his God given talents building and crafting homes. He briefly moved to Arizona and worked as a cabinet maker for a time before returning to the Iowa Great Lakes area. Just before leaving for Arizona, he met a young lady, Diane Quist of Spencer, on a blind date. The two would correspond by letter and phone regularly and her presence in large part brought Bill home to the Lakes Area. In December of 1970 Bill and Diane were engaged and short time later united in holy matrimony on October 9th, 1971. They would make their first home in Spirit Lake.

   He continued to work construction and in his free time he would find himself behind the wheel of hobby stock race cars driving at local tracks in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. In the spring of 1975, their family would grow by one with their first child, a little boy named Brent William born on April 23rd of 1975. A few short years later Bill broke ground on their forever home in the countryside just north of Fostoria. They would welcome their second child to the family in the summer of 1977 when Andrew John was born on July 7th. The four of them would move into their new home built in large part by Bill later that fall.

   He would begin employment at Northwest Glass in Spencer as a glazier in the early 80’s and that is where he would work for the remainder of his working life (35 years). With the arrival of the children his racing life ended but his woodworking would continue in the basement shop he spent much of his free time in. He would later build an external woodshop on their property which he greatly enjoyed during his retirement years. Later in life he planted a Christmas Tree farm on the property and enjoyed preparing for the holidays with visitors as they arrived to pick out the family tree. He would also find pleasure in grilling and smoking meat and even entered a few local meat smoking contests. Bill found enjoyment and occasional aggravation following the Hawkeyes, Vikings and Twins as well. Post retirement he greatly enjoyed volunteering at the Clay County Fair helping park campers. His favorite moments were spent with his seven grandchildren traveling to Des Moines and Sioux City as well as a few winters back in the warmth of Arizona.

   If you were ever around Bill he probably struck up a conversation with you. There was never a stranger he wouldn’t say hello to. On virtually every trip, whether it be to the grocery store with Diane, or to a Hawkeye football game with the entire family Bill would find someone he didn’t know to strike up a conversation with. His family was forever wrangling him and trying to keep him on the move to the next stop. Everyone was a friend to Bill and he would gladly help anyone who asked, greeting them with a smile, handshake and clever remark.

   Bill was preceded in death by his parents Duane and Alma Osborne and his brother Jim Osborne. He is survived by his wife Diane, son Brent and his wife Kari and their children Kristyn, Brady and Emersyn as well as his other son Andy and his wife Leilani and their children Max, (wife Kennedy and Bill’s only great granddaughter Maysen), Drew, Claire, and Evelyn. Bill is remembered fondly by his siblings Bob Osborne (Mary Ann), Annette Schaeffer (Dave Schaeffer), Dennis Osborne, Nancy Ranum, and James Myers as well as several nieces.

A celebration of life is planned for the 4th of July weekend at the Osborne home.

   Bill was an incredibly humble man who lived with integrity and honor. He understood the value of a day’s work, but nothing ever came before his wife, boys and family. His infectious humor and joy made a lasting effect on everyone he encountered. His legacy can be found in the creations of his labor, the loved ones who live on carrying his memory, and the many people who had the privilege of conversing with this joyful, fun-loving personality.