Alan W. Pilling Oct. 19, 1917 - Aug. 29, 2009

Alan W. Pilling, age 92, of Bella Vista, Ark., and formerly of Storm Lake, passed away on Aug. 29, 2009 due to an extended illness. He is survived by his wife Judi of Bella Vista, Ark., son Jack and wife Anne of Cedar Rapids, grandchildren Kristin and Luke, and for great grandchildren, Stella, Miles, Beckett and Vincent, all of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. He was preceded in death by wife Jane and two sons, Scott and Charles.

Alan was born on Oct. 19, 1917 in Council Bluffs, to Guy and Caroline PIlling. Alan graduated from Wayne State in Nebraska and coached and taught prior to entering the US Navy during the Second World War. He served on the destroyer USS Halford as an officer in the South Pacific. Upon discharge he attended Northwestern University, working towards an advance degree in Education. Due to changes in family responsibilities, he accepted a job working for the the Penn-Dixie Cement Company.

In November of 1947, Alan married Jane Rose in Storm Lake. Jane had a son, Jack Rose Jr. Jane's husband, Jack Rose Sr., was killed in action in the South Pacific. Alan adopted Jack Jr. In addition, Jane and Alan had two sons, Scott and Charles. Jane and Alan Pilling were married for well over fifty years. He later married Judi Williams of Bella Vista, Ark.

Prior to retiring to Bella Vista, Ark., Alan was very active in Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Storm Lake. He was a founding member of the YMCA. He loved sports and the Fine Arts. He was an accomplished bee keeper and was an expert at making those around him feel happy and blessed to be alive. He will be missed and will always be known as the man who "walked the walk" in terms of his Christian faith.

Memorial services for Alan W. Pilling will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. at Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Storm Lake. Burial of cremations with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009 at 11 a.m. in the Buena Vista Memorial Cemetery in Storm Lake.