Billy Melvin Mohr, age 75, was at his home in Lanesboro, Iowa, on October 6, 2025, when God put the final period on the end of his unique life story.
Bill made his debut in the world on April 26, 1950, in Lake City, IA, to Melvin and Dolores (Lee) Mohr. A few years later, his family moved to Sac City, where Bill began his education journey at the local country school. After the country school closed, Bill added spice to the Sac City Elementary School. He later tested the mettle of his teachers when his family moved back to Lake City. Despite experiencing many childhood hardships, Bill’s grit paid off when he graduated from Lake City High School in 1969.
Bill continued his education as a lifelong student at the University of Hard Knocks, and he earned several distinctions for being an adventurous klutz. The first evidence of his hazardous disposition occurred when Bill was about five years old and tested his ability to ride a tricycle on the kitchen table while his little brother and sister watched in horrific fascination. Unfortunately, breaking an arm didn’t slow him down. A handful of years later, Bill was running across the farmstead while looking over his shoulder until he turned around and face-planted into a barbed wire fence. Throughout his remaining years, Bill miraculously survived when he overturned and rolled his Farmall M, sliced through a piece of wood and his thigh with a skill saw, unwittingly tested the potency of anhydrous by drenching himself in it, severed his relationship with his middle finger while removing debris from a corn picker, smashed his foot under a combine when a jack slipped, shot himself in the eye when the end of a powerwasher proved it wasn’t securely attached, and. . .these were just the incidents he chose to share.
Bill never let these unexpected adventures hold him back from being a hard worker. He grew up helping his father with field work, the dairy cows, and general farm work. He continued helping on the farm and doing odd jobs until 1994, when he was hired by Bowie International in Lake City. Bill then worked for a grain elevator in Breda, where he hauled anhydrous for more than a decade. After he left the grain elevator, Bill discovered a deep love for traveling when he joined a wheat harvest company that worked in Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. He made good friends with his harvest team, enjoyed hauling grain for them, and often talked about the beautiful landscapes of each state. Although Bill loved this job, a crushed foot from a combine accident led him back to Iowa, where he worked for cement companies in Carroll, a gravel pit, feed companies, and various AG businesses. Bill spent the last few years working at Wal-Mart in Carroll while also cutting, selling, and hauling firewood. During his free time, Bill enjoyed puttering around his acreage in Lanesboro, trying his hand at tending flowers, collecting pieces of potentially useful machinery and tools, and taking long drives in the country.
Although Bill was quick to verbalize his appreciation of women, he was just too ornery to get married. However, he was vastly proud of his numerous nieces and nephews. His eyes would twinkle, and his mouth would twitch with fond humor when they would hug and interact with him, and he would frequently ask for updates after they became adults. Since the love of his life, Dolly Parton, was notably absent, Bill adopted several children, such as Buttercup, Lady, Blue, Hemmie, and Brownie. He adored his children and frequently looked for opportunities to adopt more. Bill’s diverse children, namely milk cows, pigs, sheep, rabbits, fish, guineas, cats, dogs, geese, chickens, and goats, brought him great joy and gave him purpose.
As a bachelor who enjoyed his independence, Bill took fashion cues from no one. His signature apparel included a tattered flannel shirt, patched blue jeans with the cuffs rolled, and improperly laced work boots. He had a fondness for green olives, peanuts, a tall glass of milk, homemade rolls smothered in butter, and ketchup. He preferred to eat while socializing and could often be found shooting the breeze at the former Lake City Coop, Sparky’s gas station, or at the homes of family. Everyone knew Bill for being humorous, opinionated, self-reliant, stubborn, and hard-working. He also had a tender side that enjoyed giving to others. He gave gifts such as humorous cards or edible deer poop that made people laugh, he gave thoughtful gifts such as a trinket or something he thought would be useful, and he often showed up at a family member’s house with a store-bought container of green olives or peanuts to share. His visits always resulted in hours of animated conversation, laughter, and head-shaking wonder.
There is so much more that could be said about Billy Melvin Mohr, but in the end, he made this world brighter. He leaves a huge hole in the hearts of family and friends who were entertained by his stories, unique outlook on life, strong opinions, and sense of humor. Those left to cherish Bill’s memory include his siblings: Gloria (Gary Dooley) Mohr of Lake City, IA, Patty (Dennis) Mohr of Elkhorn, IA, Mary Jo Mohr of Perry, IA, and several beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his life-long friend and brother, Robert Joe Mohr, Sr., his nephew, Daniel Wyade Dooley, and his parents, Melvin and Dolores Mohr.
A private family burial service will take place at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Auburn, IA, where Bill will be laid to rest next to his grandparents, Ray and Blanche Lee. Friends and family are welcome to attend his memorial on Saturday, October 18, from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M., at Lampe & Powers Funeral Home in Lake City, IA.
