William Sherman McLead

William “Bill” Sherman McLead, 78, of Newton died on Friday, February 21, 2025, at MercyOne Newton. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, March 3, at the Community Heights Alliance Church.  Committal with military honors will follow the service at Newton Union Cemetery. The family will then greet friends back at the church with a meal. Memorials in Bill’s name (checks made payable to Marleana McLead) may be left at the church the day of the service or at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.

Bill, the son of Emery and Beatrice Arlou (Page) McLead, was born on March 15, 1946, in Newton. He was a lifelong resident of Newton and graduated from Newton High School in 1965. Bill served his country in the U.S. Army and then in the Iowa Army Reserves. On June 13, 1970, Bill was united in marriage with Marleana Pazzi in Des Mones.  He worked and later retired from the Maytag Company. After retirement, Bill worked as a HIRTA bus driver and just last month retired from driving school bus for the Newton Community School District. Bill and Marleana enjoyed traveling and camping. For several years they were work campers and enjoyed meeting new friends along the way. They especially loved their many winters in Mesa, Arizona.  He was a member of the Izaak Walton League, Community Heights Alliance Church, and the Local Union 997.

Bill is survived by his wife, Marleana McLead of Newton; children, Bill (Jennifer) McLead of Oklahoma and Christina (Shawn) Brown of Bellevue, Nebraska; grandchildren, Kaytlyn Brown, Matthew McLead, Adrianna Atkins, Tia Brown, Jacob (Megan) Atkins; his great-grandchildren, Kyson and Starr; and their beloved dog, Lucy.  He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lewis (Mary) McLead; and sister, Marlene Cooper.