William “Bill” Kliethermes, 70, Westphalia, passed from this life peacefully Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, at home surrounded by his family.
He was born Aug. 8, 1955, a son to the late Clifford and Irene (Keefe) Kliethermes in Loose Creek.
He was a 1973 graduate of Fatima High School.
Bill was united in marriage to Sheila Iven Aug. 26, 1978, at Holy Family Church in Freeburg.
He never backed away from hard work starting at a young age, working with his dad in construction.
After graduating high school Bill was employed at the Missouri Department of Transportation for a short time, and then went back to the craft he loved, building things with his hands. He owned and operated Kliethermes Construction for over 30 years.
Bill was wild and fun-loving in his youth, compassionate and humble as he grew older. He dedicated his life to his family, not with extravagant vacations or expensive gifts. Family camping trips and meaningful get-togethers were more his style, along with the annual grandkids fishing trip which was followed with lots of discussion about who caught the biggest and the most.
Bill built and provided a home out of wood and brick and filled it with love and support for his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by parents, Clifford and Irene; brothers, Richard “Rick”, Clifford “Randy” and Russell “Tut” Kliethermes; parent-in-laws, Dorothy and John Iven; brothers-in-law Stephan Iven and Bob Brand; and sister-in-law, Becky Libbert.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sheila to whom he was very devoted; children of whom he was so proud of, Jessi Schwartze and husband Matt, Stephanie Kliethermes, Stacie Gilmore and husband Ryan and Brian Kliethermes; grandchildren, Cody and Blake Schwartze, Parker Spencer and Aspen Hudson; sisters, Darlene Brandt and husband Joe of Loose Creek, Linda Basket and husband Johnny of Yukon, Okla., Judy Muenks and husband Norman of Loose Creek, Janice “Jennie” Brand of Taos, Joan Prenger and husband Russell of Vienna and Patty Hays and husband Rick of Jefferson City; brother-in laws, George Iven and wife Linda and Andy Iven and wife Michelle, all of Freeburg, Randy Iven and wife Donnetta of Vienna; sister-in-laws, Wanda Reinkemeyer and husband Roger of Freeburg and Vicki Evans and husband Richard of Hope Mills, N.C.; and many nephews and nieces and other relatives.
Visitation will be held from 9 until 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 7, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Westphalia followed by a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11 a.m.
Arrangements entrusted to Tyler M. Woods Memorial of Jefferson City.
