William Spiess

William C. “Bill” Spiess, 95, of Davenport, died Friday, February 4, 2022 at Jersey Ridge Place, Davenport.  Private services were held with burial in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport.  Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church.

William Charles Spiess was born on November 13, 1926 in Davenport, one of nine children born to William and Mary (Abeln) Spiess.  He was united in marriage to Betty J. Groves on July 19, 1952 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Davenport.  They shared over 69 years of marriage together as well as 38 winters in Florida!

Bill worked as an auto mechanic at Makoben & Engel Garage for 32 years.  He then went to work for Haiston’s DX Service Station and also worked out of his own garage making sure his nieces and nephews had cars that were reliable which in Bill’s mind was always a Chevy.

Bill had a passion for stock car racing, owning and working the pit for many years at local races.  He enjoyed traveling to see the Daytona 500, Indianapolis 500, and also vacationing in Alaska and Hawaii.

Survivors include his loving wife, Betty, Davenport, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Loretta Rakocy, Ann Hess, Mary Nickles, Dorothy Pierce, Walter Spiess, Barney Spiess, and Joe and Fritz Spiess who were both killed serving our country in World War II.