William Clarence De Boef was born December 7, 1916, to John and Gertie (Branderhorst) De Boef at their farm home north of Oskaloosa, Iowa. His younger years were spent with his family on the farm. He received his early education at a country school near his home.

On April 14, 1942, Bill was united in marriage with Martha Rozenboom at her parents' home in Wright, Iowa. They were blessed with twelve children: Willene, Marvin, Jim, Leona, Donna, Pearl, Bill, Kathy, Ken, Martie, Karen, and Steve. Bill and Martha farmed most of their married life, and after moving to Pella, Bill was employed at Vermeer's.

Bill made profession of faith at the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa where he served as a deacon. He was a charter member of the Oskaloosa Bethel Christian Reformed Church where he served as an elder and a deacon. He was currently a member of the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella where he had been a member of the Men's Society and had taught Friendship Bible Hour.

He enjoyed gardening, nature, bird watching, bow hunting, and most of all, his family. He was a faithful husband, and dedicated father and will be remembered for his integrity, and his gentle, humble, and giving manner.

Bill went to his heavenly home on Friday, May 10, 2013, at Pella Regional Health Center at the age of ninety-six.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Martha; his children: Willene (Mike) Tanis of Imlay City, Michigan; Marvin (Alva) De Boef of Pella; the late Jim (Mary Ann) De Boef of Pella; Leona (the late Bob) Gagestein of Roy, Utah; Donna (Jim) Grandia of Riverside, California; Pearl (the late Ron) Menninga of Pella; Bill (Sharon) De Boef of Union, Illinois; Kathy (Larry) Groenenboom of Pella; Ken (Deb) De Boef of Leighton; Martie De Boef of Newton; Karen (Jim) Wallace of Pella; and Steve (Lynn) De Boef of Hull, Iowa; forty-one grandchildren; seventy-six great-grandchildren; his brother, Arthur (Velma) De Boef of New Sharon; brothers-in-law Dale Veldhuizen of Oskaloosa, Gys (Ada) Rozenboom of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Gerald (Clarissa) Rozenboom of Oskaloosa; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, George and Martha Rozenboom; sister, Marie Roorda Veldhuizen; son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Gracia De Boef; sons-in-law, Bob Gagestein and Ron Menninga; and nine of Martha's siblings and their spouses.

DIED

May 10, 2013
Pella, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE

1:30 P.M., Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Calvary Christian Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION

Beginning at Noon on Monday, May 13, 2013
with family present 5:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Calvary Christian Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

MEMORIALS

Calvary Christian Reformed Church Building Fund

INTERMENT

Evergreen Cemetery
Leighton, Iowa