Charles William Vest Jr. Obituary (1961 - 2025)

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Charles William Vest Jr., better known as Dad, Bill, Billy, Papa Bill, or Vanilla Grandpa to those who loved him most. Born in Ottumwa, IA, USA, on January 28, 1961, Charles graced the world with his laughter, love, and creativity for 64 years before his departure on February 21, 2025. Bill was a man of many talents and interests. He had a knack for collecting things that stirred his curiosity. He had passion for racing, especially when it came to Nascar and cheering for Dale Earnhardt. His intelligence was evident in his ability to tinker with things, rebuild and reuse. He was always keen to deepen his knowledge, particularly in history and spiritual realms. As Bill would often say, "If there is a will, there is a way," a mantra that reflected his way of believing. His creative, adventurous spirit, hardworking nature, and insatiable desire to learn has kept him motivated. Family was at the heart of Bill's life. He was a devoted father to his ten children and a proud grandfather to over thirty grandchildren. His love for his family was as generous as it was profound, and his loyalty unwavering. Bill believed in the power of forgiveness, often reminding his loved ones that life was too short to hold grudges. His humor, often coming in the form of a friendly kick in the butt or a playful jest, he will be missed by all who knew him. Bill is survived by his daughters Larietta Sauer, Megan Robertson, Billie Lovelace, Samantha Fleming, Racheal Elmore, Nicole Vest, and his sons T.J Parker, Joey Parker, Shawn Hanson, Mitchell, and his step-son Joshua Jones, his siblings Larry Reisch Jr, Cameron Living, Charles Vest, Tom Reisch, Floyed Loving, and Sue Tennison, and his lifelong girlfriend Tonie Carrington and his many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his fathers Charles Vest and Larry Reisch, and his mother Cynthia Hughes. A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, February 24, 2025 at the Agency Community Center, 102 Hazel St., Agency, Iowa 52530, from 1-6 pm with Bill's family present. Memorials may be directed to the family. In the words of the great Maya Angelou, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Bill made us feel loved, cherished, and valued, and his legacy will continue to live on in our hearts and memories. We invite you to leave your memories and upload photos of Bill on his memorial page, celebrating his remarkable life and the joy he brought to all of us. Let us remember Bill not just for his departure, but for his life, wisdom, and the love he gave so generously.