William G. Bails, age 69, passed away with his family by his side on Sunday evening July 8, 2018. A celebration of Bill's life will be held on July 21, 2018 from 4 to 8 p.m. with a short remembrance service at 6:30 at the Stanwood School gym. Bill was born on January 12, 1949 to John Ray and Barbara Irene Treichler Bails in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He married Kathy Edler on February 21, 1970 in Tipton. Survivors include his wife Kathy; children Joseph William Bails of Mahomet, IL and Crystal (Jerry) Coia of Mt. Vernon; granddaughter Zoey Stolba; step grandchildren Kahlil, Michael, Jake, Madelyn, Daniel and Megan Coia; siblings Robert Bails of Springville, John (Karen) Bails of Cedar Rapids, Donald (Diane) Bails of Norway, Richard Bails of Stanwood, Charles "Chuck" (Laurie) Bails of Mt. Vernon, Paul (Pam) Bails of Papilion, NE, Mary Ellen Knupp of Vinton, Linda Nemecek of Fishers,IN, Nancy (L.A.) Forrest of Iowa City, Margaret (Ronnie) Bails-Downs of Cedar Rapids, Betty (Don) Conkel of Cedar Rapids and June (Loren) Walshire of Onaga, KS; sister-in-law Rosalind Bails of Waukee; brother-in-law John "Jack" Voss of Stanwood; and many nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Sarah Menzer and Susan Voss; brother Jim Bails; sister-in-law Mollie Bails; brother-in-law Byron Knupp; nieces Karen Hildebrand and Marcia Krenz and great grandson Joshua. William Bails was a lifelong resident of Stanwood and 1967 graduate of Lincoln High School. He started his coaching career as a little league baseball coach in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Then, for nearly 30 years, Bill served the Lincoln and North Cedar Schools as bus driver, coach and activities director. During his tenure he coached baseball, basketball, cross country, track, softball, volleyball and free-style wrestling. He also served as president of the Lincoln Athletic Boosters for 11 years. Bill was or has been the race director for the Road Runner 5k, The Whistle Stop 5k, The Believe 5k, The Run for Reading 5k, The Junction Jugglefest 5k, The Running with the Legends 5k, The H.A.W.K. 5k and many other local road races that he was asked to lead. He was also the Elite Athlete Coordinator for the 5th Season 8k for seven years, recruiting athletes from all over the world. Bill has helped raise more than $140,000 to support charitable needs that benefit municipal and school projects, provide financial relief to people suffering illnesses and support individuals with special needs. Bill was also a brand ambassador for Reckless Running and RunGum. Both are organizations headed by Olympic athletes. He has also volunteered at numerous world-class events such as the Olympic trials for track and field and wrestling. Bill has spoken at several venues about "Perseverance with Perspective." This includes a speech at the National Cancer Survivor Day as the keynote speaker and to many college and high school athletic teams. Bill is co-director of the Take Down Cancer collegiate wrestling event with proceeds going directly to the Hall Perrine Cancer Center, Cedar Rapids. Bill had run in 825 road races throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 1994, he ran 334 miles across Iowa in eight days and raised $5,000 to help in the construction of a new library in Stanwood. Key accomplishments include running in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life as a one-man team, Boston Marathon and three marathons in one day. Bill had been invited to run in the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon but because of his ongoing battle with cancer was unable to do so, but did run in the 5k. This past June, Bill and his son, Joe, traveled to Indianapolis to film a segment for ABC News about running with cancer and the marathon. A documentary featuring Bill should be completed later this winter. A book is also in the works. Along with his work in athletics, he owned and operated Road Runner Detail Shop in Stanwood and he and his wife, Kathy, operated Tipton Motel for a time. Bill has served on the Stanwood city council, North Cedar Education Foundation and Cedar County Civil Service Commission. In lieu of flowers, please extend your condolences by donating to the Bill Bails Memorial Fund. Donations can be sent to: Box 75 Stanwood, Iowa 52337.