Thomas "Tom" Biller Obituary

Thomas F. Biller peacefully entered God’s kingdom on Monday, November 13, 2023 surrounded by his family and embraced by the love of Christ. Tom was born in Waterloo, IA to LaVerne & Rose Biller on August 3, 1932. Tom graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Waterloo, where he was crowned homecoming king and was a 3 sport letter winner. After high school he played semi pro football for the Waterloo Wildcats before serving 2 years in the US Army during the Korean war. Upon returning home he married his high school sweetheart, Helen Spurlock, who he affectionally referred to as “his lil’ petunia”.

While building houses for others all day as a carpenter, he spent evenings and weekends building his own dream home where he and Helen began raising their family, eventually welcoming seven children. Their Catholic faith was at the forefront of their family’s traditions.

He spent many successful years moving up through the ranks within the millwork industry, first in sales, then as a branch manager for three different Rock Island Millwork manufacturing plants in Iowa and North Carolina. He eventually became a partner at a plant in his hometown of Waterloo. With hard work and a desire to return to the open road Tom started Biller & Associates, a manufacturer’s sales rep company where he was trusted and admired by the many companies across the United States who relied on his abundant knowledge of the industry.

Tom and Helen enjoyed an active retirement dividing their time between their townhome in Sun City, their lake home on Lake Panorama, and their home base in Urbandale where they loved the constant activity of grandkids coming and going to use their backyard pool. Tom had a lifelong love of the outdoors and he always found time for hunting or fishing trips to northern Minnesota or Canada. Imagine Helen’s reaction when he came home and told her he had a trophy bear rug being prepared at the taxidermist!

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Helen of 59 years, brother Don and sister Mary Lou. He is survived by his seven children, Scott (Sheri) Biller of Urbandale, Dan (Helen) Biller of Olathe, KS, Ben (Vicki) Biller of Overland Park, KS, Jenny (Deacon Rick) Condon of Urbandale, Andy (Michelle) Biller of Council Bluffs, IA, Angie (John) Ahlberg of Calamus, IA, and Mary Helen Biller of Clive, IA and his brother Jack Biller of Woodbury, MN. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, and 24 great grandchildren as well as his friend and companion of eight years, Bev Fontanini.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Spina Bifida Association of Iowa, 8525 Douglas Ave. Suite 39, Urbandale, IA 50322. Online condolences are welcome at www. IlesCares.com
Arrangements by Iles Westover Chapel.

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