Perry "Bill" Driskill Obituary

Perry Duane Driskill, also known as Bill, although no one remembers why, passed away on July 27, 2025, after a well lived 91 years. He was currently residing at Scottish Rite Park in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. August 9, 2025, at Powers Funeral Home in Afton. Pastor William Richardson will officiate. Burial will be at Greenlawn Cemetery in Afton, with full military rites by Theodore J. Martens, Creston, VFW Post #1797. Visitation, with family receiving friends, will be 1:00 p.m. to service time on August 9, 2025. Memorials may be sent to the Afton Assembly of God church, 105 S Browning St. Afton Iowa 50830, or Laura Pfaltzgraff, 6105 Crown Ln., Des Moines IA 50311. Online condolences may be made at www.powersfh.com.

Bill was born in Weldon, Ia. on March 8, 1934, to Martin & Evelyn (Goodwin) Driskill. He attended various one room schoolhouses followed by high school in Shannon city and Afton. He graduated in 1952.

December 1952, he enlisted in the Air Force serving in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged after serving four years.

On March 5, 1955, Bill married his high school sweetheart Diana Koutsky. They were married for 65 years. A son, Russell, was born in February 1956 followed by a daughter Laura in August of 1959.

After his discharge, they returned to Iowa and started farming. After a few years of renting, they bought Diana's parents' farm by the once-upon-a- town of Talmage, Iowa. They lived on this farm until 2016. And on this farm, they raised pigs, cattle, chickens, geese, turkeys, sheep, goats, ducks, rabbits, donkeys, ponies, dogs, and many, many cats. Bill also grew corn, beans, oats, and hay. What did he like best about farming? "Being my own boss."

Bill and Diana moved to an apartment in Afton in 2016. Diana passed away in 2020 and in 2021 he moved to Des Moines to be closer to his daughter Laura and son-in-law John Pfaltzgraff.

Bill and Diana were members of the Afton Assembly of God Church and spent many years on cleaning duty. Bill also served on the Union County Fair Board and on the Board of Directors of the Production Credit Association.

Hunting and fishing were Bill's lifelong hobbies. Whether hunting elk or antelope out west or tracking deer and the elusive turkey around home, he was passionate about the chase. He enjoyed fishing with friends and his grandsons. He liked to be outside.

Spending time with his grandsons David and Daniel Pfaltzgraff was the highlight of Bill and Diana's life. Which fulfilled Proverbs 17:6.

"Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged."

The boys spent many days on the farm enjoying grandma's good cooking and grandpa's jokes. Summer days sitting under the fir trees and watching the boys antics were some favorite memories. Grandpa also insisted on putting food out for Santa's reindeer and showing the deer prints they made while eating. When the boys were in their twenties, they started to doubt grandpa's claim even though he swore it was true and kept setting it out every Christmas.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Diana, son Russell, parents Martin and Evelyn, brothers Lawrence "Tony" and Art. Those left to remember him fondly are his daughter Laura, son-in-law John, grandsons and their wives, David and Anna Pfaltzgraff with John Perry, Wells and Lillian; Daniel and Allison Pfaltzgraff with Grayson. Sister Kay Billeter and sisters-in-law Mary Kline (Art Driskill) and Leona Driskill (Tony). Plus, nieces and nephews. Bill appreciated all the many friends he made over the years, especially if they could fish.