Billy Harl Northup, 92, a lifelong resident of Ollie, passed away on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, at Windsor Place in Sigourney. Billy was born on August 25, 1932, in rural Ollie. He graduated from Ollie High School in 1949, where he excelled in baseball, basketball and track, then married his high school sweetheart, Wilma Van Orsdall, on October 1, 1950, at The Little Chapel Around the Corner in Las Vegas, Nevada, as they planned on starting their new life together in Los Angeles. That adventure did not last long, however, and they moved back to Ollie, where they homesteaded out on Tic Ridge.
Billy worked road construction during his early years, helping build Interstates 80 and 35, and the Red Rock Dam in the 1960’s. He then sold insurance in the 1970’s, until taking over as the rural mail carrier for Ollie in the 1980’s, concluding his 37-year career with the USPS as the Ollie Postmaster in the 1990’s, retiring in 1998. Billy and Wilma then enjoyed 21 years as “Winter Texans”.
Raised in rural SE Iowa, Billy was always proud of his humble roots, and he never forgot where he came from. He developed a strong work ethic and personal values through his ties to the Ollie Community, including the Ollie United Methodist Church, where he was District Lay Leader and Lay Speaker, Prairie View United Methodist Church, the Order of the Eastern Star, and Iowa Freemasonry. Billy stayed close to his roots, with Faith and Family always coming first, and he was an avid and loyal fan of the Pekin Panthers and the Central College Dutch, where Billy and Wilma were named Honorary Alumni in 2011, having sent all four of their sons there. Always a Coach at heart, he established and coached the Little League and Pony League baseball teams in Ollie during the 1960’s, into the 70’s. You could also find him every year at the “Ollie Big Days” organizing the fun and games for the kids, including everyone’s favorite, the egg toss!
Billy labored in the quarries of Freemasonry for over 71 years, becoming a Master Mason on December 16, 1953, in Justice Lodge No. 230 in Ollie, at the age of 21. He served as Worshipful Master first in 1962, then again in 1981, when he raised all 4 of his sons to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. He then served as Secretary of the Lodge for nearly 20 years and was known for his ham and beans supper every year at the November meeting. Billy also wore the purple of the fraternity as Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Iowa in 1995-96, an honor and experience that he and Wilma treasured deeply. He was also a member of Ollie Chapter No. 549, Order of the Eastern Star, for nearly 70 years, serving in numerous offices. Billy was likewise a member of the Davenport Scottish Rite, invested with the rank and honor of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor.
Billy is survived by his partner of 74 years, Wilma; his boys, Norm (Sharon), Phil (Lynn), Billy Van (Lisa), and Bo (Julie); 7 grandchildren, Andrew, Emily, Kayla, Trenton, Trever, Lauren and Jake; 3 great grandchildren, Sawyer, Zelda, Maverick, and one due in July; his sister, Sandra Mossman, and many nieces and nephews.
Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Dale Northup and Hildreth (Abel) Quire, an infant son, sisters Sally and Diane, and brother James.
A Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date. Memorials may be made to Prairie View Methodist Church, Justice Lodge No. 230, or Ollie O.E.S. Chapter No. 549, and may be mailed to the family at PO Box 833, Packwood, IA 52580. Fremont Funeral Chapel is taking care of arrangements.
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