William Creighton Vandegriff

Online condolences to the family may be expressed by clicking "Sign Guest Book" tab.

Funeral services were held 2:00 PM, Friday, January 13, 2006 at the First United Methodist Church in Fairfield. Rev. Mike metz officiated.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the First United Methodist Church or Hospice of Central Iowa.

Cards and memorials may be sent c/o:
1006 Liberty Drive
Fairfield, IA 52556

William Creighton Vandegriff was born on the family farm near Selma, Iowa on December 10, 1916, the son of Arthur Russell and Jenny (Gibson) Vandegriff. He married Ruth Humphrey in Bloomfield, Iowa on May 13, 1942. They were the parents of three children: Gloria Carol, Ramon Neil and Gayle Denise.

Bill was president of the Selma School Board from 1950-1965. In 1967, the family moved to Fairfield where Bill was employed by the Dexter Company as Inspection Supervisor in the Quality Controls Department, as well as in charge of Receiving Inspection.

Bill retired from Dexter after 30 years and then worked for the city of Fairfield for 11 years as the man in charge of the School Stopsigns at all the crosswalks. It was him you saw every morning and afternoon rolling the stopsigns in and out of their protective positions in the school crosswalks. In his active years, Bill enjoyed bowling and he was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Fairfield.

After his family and his church, Bill's greatest talent was his proficiency and skill in horseshoe pitching. Bill began pitching "genuine" horseshoes at the age of 12, with cousins and neighbors. He began competing in tournaments in the 1950's and at the State Fair in Des Moines for 33 consecutive years, beginning in 1957. He was in the state championship class 27 times. He placed 2nd in the Iowa State championship class in 1967 and won the state Outdoor title in 1970, placing 7 times after that. He pitched right-handed, throwing an Allen shoe with a 3/4 turn. .

Bill was Vice-President of the IHHPA in 78-79, when the 1978 World Tournament was held in Des Moines. He was Chairman of the Regional Directors of the IHHPA for several years. In 1968, Bill helped organize the Jefferson County Horseshoe Pitcher's Association. Four clay courts. with cement pitching platforms, fences, and lights were installed at Chautauqua Park.

In 1975, in Monmouth, IL, he pitched against Glen "Red" Henton and threw 22 consecutive double ringers (44), winning the game and the tournament.

In 1981, in a National Tournament at Ponca City, OK, Bill placed second to World Champion, Walter Ray "Dead-Eye" Williams of California. In 1982, he placed second again in Ponca City, to Missouri State Champion, Ron Frakes. Bill has accumulated over 250 trophies, plaques, medallions and ribbons.

In 1982, Bill was inducted into the Iowa Hawkeye Horseshoe Pitcher's Association Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the Iowa Horseshoe Pitching Association,and the National Horseshoe Pitching Association. He pitched in 26 tournaments, placing First fourteen times, Second seven times and Third five times.

In 1987, Bill helped instruct 461 Junior High students in the fundamentals of horseshoe pitching and scoring. He told the students the key to good pitching is concentration, co-ordination, confidence and determination and that is a healthful sport, keeping one in good condition. In 1990, under Bill's guidance, 94 students at Fairfield High School pitched horseshoes during their physical education class. His son Neil was a Junior State Champion for three years.

Bill felt the highlights of his career were winning the Outdoor State tournament in 1970, the State Sportsmanship trophy in 1974 and induction into the IHHPA "Hall of Fame" in 1982.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth and his children and their families:
Gloria Carol Vandegriff Honea and husband Brian of Dallas, Tx, Gayle Denise Vandegriff Gilpin of Fairfield, IA and Ramon Neil Vandegriff and wife Trudy of Fairfield, and one brother, Alvin Vandegriff of Meridian, ID.

Bill was grandfather to: Vincent Waggoner and wife Linda of Dallas, TX, Matthew Waggoner and wife Mary of Graham, WA, Anthony Vandegriff of Fairfield, IA, Nicholas Vandegriff and wife LaNeia of Birmingham, AL, and Tyler, Dylan, and Haylee Gilpin, all of Fairfield.

Great-grandchildren are: Amber Jo Price and husband Ace of Dallas, TX, Erin Ann Melito of Dallas, TX and Kiersten Vandegriff of Birmingham, AL and great-great-grandchildren are Dameon and Cyan Melito, Delaney and Dylann Price, all of Dallas, TX.

Predeceasing Bill are his parents, a brother, Amos and a sister, Mary Louise and two grandson: Andrew Jason Waggoner and Nathan Ryan Vandegriff.