William Vance Stead March 24, 1922 – April 25, 2017

      William Vance Stead, 95, died at Westminster Towers in Orlando, Florida on April 25, 2017. Survivors include his wife, Yola  (Roddy) and three children: David (Cathy), Andover, Minn.; Peg (John) Slusher, Marion; and Kathryn (Patty) of Fletcher, N.C.; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; Victor and Gordon; one sister, Beverly Ann Caspers; son Thomas (Mary Ann); and granddaughter, Karyn Kizina.

      Vance was born on March 24, 1922 in Hopkinton to his parents, Harold and Anna Stead. He graduated from Buck Creek High School in 1939 and attended Lenox Junior College where he graduated in 1941. He married Yola Rodman on November 25, 1942 in the First United Methodist Church in Kirksville, Mo. He entered the military service on December 15, 1942 and served in an anti-tank company in the European theater during WWII.

      Prior to entering the service, Vance taught in two elementary schools. After the war, he taught in Collins, Iowa for two years and enrolled in Iowa State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. The family moved to Marshall, Indiana, where Vance was employed by Kraft Foods, and then they returned to Monticello in 1952 where he taught vocational agriculture for one year.

      Vance served as a high school principal for nine years and attended the University of Iowa where he received an M.A. degree in School Administration. In 1961 the family moved to LeMars, Iowa where he first was the high school principal and later served as the superintendent of schools for 14 years. During that time, he guided the successful completion of a bond issue to construct two elementary schools and a junior high school. In 1979, he became the Administrator of the Area Education Agency 12 in Sioux City, Iowa. He retired in 1985.

      Vance was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, and Lions Club. He was very active in the American Field Service (AFS) in both Monticello and LeMars. The family hosted a Norwegian student in 1969. Because of his active involvement, Vance was selected by AFS to travel to Norway to visit many schools. He was a member of the Methodist Church and sang in the choir for many years.

      Vance served his profession well. He was a member of the Iowa Association of School Administrators (IASA), President of the Executive Board of the IASA during 1973-1974, a member of Governor Robert Ray’s Paper Task Force, a member of the Department of Public Instruction Coordination Committee, and Area Education Agency 12 Chairman.

      From 1985 to 2010, Vance and Roddy spent the winter months in Florida and summer months in Monticello; and they became full-time Florida residents in 2010.

      Throughout his life, Vance was an avid golfer, gardener, and woodworker. In Monticello, he volunteered at Camp Courageous and the Lions Club Fair Stand, and he generously used his talents to help others whenever needed. He was a gentle, kind man who was dearly loved by his family.

      Memorials may be sent to Camp Courageous or a charity of your choice. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date in Monticello.