1946-2025
William (Bill) Warren Masters, 78, son of Alva C. and Ruby Myrnell (Knauer), was born in Des Moines on Nov. 14, 1946, and passed away at his home in Guthrie Center surrounded by his loved ones on Jan 3, 2025.
Bill spent the younger years of his childhood in Guthrie Center. After his father’s death in 1953, Myrnell moved Bill and the rest of the family to San Diego, California, in 1954. Bill graduated from Point Loma High School in San Diego in 1966. Bill served his country by joining the Air Force later that same year. He was a jet engine mechanic and spent the majority of his military career at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. After his honorable discharge in December of 1970, he returned to Iowa to make a home in Guthrie Center.
Bill was married to Carolyn Stewart in May of 1967. Three children — Tami, Nicole and Tim — were born to this union. They later divorced.
Bill began his civilian career working for the Guthrie County Road Department from 1971 to 1973. He then worked for The Des Moines Register until 1994. Bill loved to fix things and craft with his hands, so he decided to start his own painting and remodeling business and called it “The Masters Touch.” Later, Bill also owned another business, Breadeaux Pizza, in Panora until he finally retired in 2015.
In July of 1990, Bill married Judy Hill, and he welcomed her daughter, Trina Brusman, as part of the family.
After Bill retired, he and Judy took many memorable vacations traveling and spent their winters in Tucson, Arizona, where he volunteered as a maintenance worker at Gilbert Ray Campground and gained a whole new family of terrific friends.
Bill enjoyed spending time in the garage working on woodworking projects, traveling, wintering in Arizona and cruising around in his 1939 Studebaker Commander and entering it into car shows. Bill also enjoyed working in the yard, birdwatching and watching the other wildlife that frequented their acreage. Perhaps Bill’s favorite pastimes were cooking and gathering around the table to share memories and talk about the future with his beloved family.
Bill is survived by his wife, Judy; his children, Tami Masters (David), Nicole Hansen (Ed), Tim Masters and Trina Brusman (Ulises); grandchildren, Nathan Somsky (Danielle), Owen Hansen (Mallory), Abby Hansen (Rush), Daniel Jensen (Kena), Teressa Stillwell (Nick), Heather Brusman (Kyle) and Shelby Brusman (Ashton); great-grandchildren, Carter Somsky, Dameon Lawrence, Dominik Stillwell, Finn Stillwell and Izabella Bookout; brother, Robert Masters; nephews, Dan Masters, Ken Masters, Ron Masters, Andrew Masters and Mike Mohr; and niece, Tina Mohr.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard Masters (Caryl), and sister, Joyce Mohr (Gary).
Bill was a cancer warrior and fought a very brave fight as he was cared for by the oncology staff at the Des Moines VA Medical Center and nurses of Hospice of the Midwest. His family will be forever grateful for his caregivers and their tireless efforts to give Bill the best life he could have in his final months.
Bill will be greatly missed by many lifelong friends and family.
A Celebration of Life for Bill will be held at the Guthrie Activity Center, located at 209 State St., Guthrie Center, on April 13, 2025, from 1-4 p.m. The family looks forward to sharing stories and celebrating Bill’s life with everyone who knew him.
Bill’s remains will be laid to rest at a small, private graveside service at Union Cemetery in Guthrie Center at a later date.