WATERLOO - William James "Bill" Boesen, 79, of Waterloo, died Saturday, May 16, at St Marys Hospital, Rochester, Minn., after a sudden illness.

He was born March 17, 1930, in Waterloo, son of Howard and Catharine Fettes Boesen. He married Beverley Schnepp on April 29, 1961, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Waterloo.

Mr. Boesen graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1948. He was employed as an electrician with Black Hawk Electrical and many other electrical shops in the Waterloo area. He was a member of IBEW local 288, the Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post 138 and Waterloo AMVETS Post 19, serving on the honor guard. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.

Survived by: his wife; two sons, William James II "Beep" and Thomas Paul, both of Waterloo; his dogs, Maggie and OleBear; two brothers, James (Phyllis) and Robert (Betty), both of Waterloo; three sisters, Mary Ellen Hadachek of Dysart, Patricia Van Dorn of Cedar Falls and Barbara (Duane) Schaefer of Waterloo; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by: his parents; and two brothers-in-law, Robert Hadachek and John Van Dorn

Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery, with full military rites by Waterloo AMVETS Post 19 and Evansdale AMVETS Post 31. Public visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on West Ridgeway, where there will be a 4 p.m. rosary service and a 7 p.m. vigil service. Visitation also an hour before services Wednesday at the church.

Memorials: may be given in his name to Scared Heart Catholic Church and Cedar Valley Hospice.