William “Billy” Eatock, Jr., 63, Boone, Iowa
BOONE, Iowa—William “Billy” E. Eatock, Jr., 63, of Boone, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at his home, surrounded by family.
Bill was born October 22, 1962, the son of Bill and Millie Eatock. Bill grew up with a love of all sports, but his greatest passion was the sport of golf. When he was twelve years old, he rode his bike to the Boone Golf and Country Club and asked for a job. Bill worked one full day, before being told to come back when he was fourteen. He returned the day after he was 14, and was given odd jobs throughout that winter. When spring came, he became a permanent part of the greens keeping crew.
Bill was a 1981 graduate of Boone High School. At Boone High, he refined his skill of working with his hands in auto shop, woodshop, and the Industrial Arts program. As a senior, he was part of a crew of students who built a house near the high school under the direction of their teacher. After graduation, he took classes in general studies and industrial arts education, with the intent on teaching as a career. All the while, he continued to work at the Boone Golf and Country Club.
In time, he was offered the job of assistant greenskeeper, and then finally became the golf course superintendent. He and his crew earned “Best nine hole course” for the state of Iowa. In 1993, he was awarded the Golf Club Superintendent of the Year. After the golf course changed hands, Bill went to La Crosse Seed and worked in sales for them until he passed away. While at La Crosse, he had the unexpected pleasure of doing business with some of the same people who had known his father in his father’s work with Iowa Veterinary Supply.
Bill enjoyed other hobbies throughout his life. He was his dad’s helper in the repairing of cars or house. Bill soon became the master, and often rescued the task with the right tool or touch. He learned to hunt and fish with his dad and never lost his passion for those pursuits. He always had a hunting dog in his life and loved their companionship at home and in the field.
Bill married Deb Rutledge on November 27, 1987. Together they raised their three children, Josh, Tyler, and Abby. Bill’s love for his family was legendary. He was always ready to host a family dinner or spend time watching his kids’ activities. Bill and Deb were staunch advocates for their kids, friends, and grandkids. They unselfishly cared for Bill and Millie in their last years, devoting much time and energy to their care.
Bill was part of the Boone community life. He never met a stranger and was everyone’s go-to person for any question they might have. He was a true friend, and loved to be with people. One friend described this by saying that “Bill had a way of making his home feel like it was your second home”. Bill was well known among his friends for his yearly Shop Party at Christmas. This event was held at the Greenskeepers Shop and hosted golfers and
friends to ring in the season. As part of his art of hosting events at the shop or at his own shop at his house, Bill smoked meat, specifically pulled pork, brisket, and ribs.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Millie; and his dogs, Ben, Lou, Nevaeh, Lindy, and Sarah.
Bill is survived by his wife, Deb Eatock; three children, Josh (Tiffany) Eatock, Tyler (Tabitha) Eatock, and Abby (Tony) Kinyon; nine grandchildren, Jordyn, Rylee, Maddie, Josie, Brynlee, Kamryn, Cael, Journey, and Anthony; one brother, Cliff (Pat) Fullhart; two sisters, Cindy (Jim) Burnside and Sandy (David) Mitchell; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel, 1006 6th Street, Boone on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. A memorial service will be held Thursday at 10:30 AM at Augustana Lutheran Church, 309 S Greene Street, Boone, with Pastor Mark Kvale officiating. Following the service, a luncheon will be served. The funeral service will be livestreamed and can be viewed on Bill’s Tribute Wall on the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel website.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone. Online condolences may be left to Bill’s family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com.
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