Willis Raymon Pike (1927 - 1997)

Born 17 Nov 1927 in West Liberty, Muscatine, Iowa, United States

Ancestors

Died 26 Sep 1997 at age 69 in Rock Island, Rock Island Township, Rock Island, Illinois, United States

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Biography

This profile is part of the Pike Name Study.

Mr. Pike died Friday, Sept. 26, 1997, at home.

He was born Nov. 17, 1927, in West Liberty, Iowa, the son of Harry Alfred and Sophia Louise Schuessler Pike. He married Billie Lois LaFrenz July 29, 1951, in Rock Island. She preceded him in death April 11, 1991.

He graduated from West Liberty High School and attended the University of Iowa, Iowa City.

He worked at Bendix Corp., and was later employed at John Deere Harvester, formerly John Deere Plow Planter Works, Moline, beginning as an industrial engineer and retiring as a supervisor in 1982, after 28 years of service.

He enlisted in the Army in 1946 and was stationed in Korea as a musician in the 5th Infantry Division Band. He played solo trumpet in the marching and military dance bands.

He was a member of John Deere Plow Planter Works Salaried Club. He enjoyed traveling to Florida and Hawaii. He was an exercise instructor in Waikiki at Fort De Russy Park. He also was an avid walker and enjoyed gourmet cooking, reading, carpentry and spending time with his grandson.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Tom Bert, Moline; a grandson, Jason Bert, Moline; a sister, Arlene Verbeck, Arlington Heights, Ill.; brothers, Lauren Pike, Davenport, and Ronald Pike, Waynesboro, Pa.; and two nieces and three nephews.

Sources

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/169193223/willis-raymon-pike

Dispatch-Argus, Sep. 28, 1997