We don't get many legends.
Bill Wundram was a legend.
The prolific columnist with a gift for storytelling died Tuesday. One of his closest friends and colleagues said Wundram remarked on his deathbed that he was, "ready to cross the river."
To countless readers and colleagues, Wundram was as big a force as the Mississippi River itself.
Bill and his column toppers
"We have lost a legend, a gigantic talent, an irreplaceable treasure, a dear friend to multitudes over generations," said Dan Hayes, former executive editor of the Quad-City Times. "We have been lucky to breathe the same air as this great man."
"Wundram was a tremendous writer and an even better personality," said Don Doxsie, former Times sports writer and editor. "He illuminated every room he ever walked into. He was impossible to dislike."
People are also reading…
"Readers felt they knew Bill, and in most ways they did," said longtime reporter and columnist Alma Gaul. "His picture was above his column so he was easily recognized, and he shared his own joys and sorrows as well as those of others.
"Having been born in Davenport and in the news business since his teens, he knew this community inside and out. Have a question? Ask Bill. He knew everything. His institutional memory was unequaled."
Ed Froehlich, retired director of the Quad-City Times Bix 7 road race, said that Wundram “was a giver and never a taker. He always wanted people to be happy.”
Former retired Quad-City Times copy editor Deb Brasier, who edited thousands of Wundram columns, penned this obituary for him:
For more than 70 years, Bill Wundram was the voice of Davenport, writing about its triumphs and travails as a cub reporter, editor and columnist for the Quad-City Times and its predecessors.
Tuesday, his voice was silenced. He was 98 years old.
William Louis Wundram was born Dec. 21, 1924, in Davenport. One of the standing jokes in his repertoire of self-deprecating humor was that he was short because he had been born on the shortest day of the year. His parents, William and Edna Wundram, had two daughters before their only son arrived.
Wundram grew up on the west side of Davenport, a middle-class childhood that provided fodder for his daily columns and books. Among his recurring themes were the importance to family life of kitchen tables, front porches and back alleys. He was president of the Class of 1943 at Davenport High School; in 2001, he was inducted into the Hall of Honor at what now is Central High School.
Wundram briefly served in the U.S. Army and, for an even briefer period of time, attended Augustana College in Rock Island. But an irresistible romance with the printed word derailed his academic career. On March 20, 1944, at the age of 19, he became a reporter for the Davenport Democrat and Leader, a predecessor of the Quad-City Times. Soon, he was immersed in the world of no-holds-barred, “Front Page” type of journalism that characterized the era.
Over the next decades, Wundram filled a variety of writing and editing jobs in the newsroom. He found his niche in what once was known as “soft news” — and his insatiable curiosity and boundless enthusiasm for telling the stories of the people, places and the quirky side of life in the Quad-Cities brought the features/lifestyles sections of the newspaper in Davenport, Iowa, to national prominence.
In 1979, then-editor Forrest Kilmer decided the best showcase for Wundram’s talents was as a columnist. He soon was writing columns seven days a week — an unheard-of feat in the world of journalism. In recent years, his columns appeared five days a week on Page A2 of the Quad-City Times — and often rose to front-page prominence. The stream of story ideas and tips coming from his office was endless.
Wundram jokingly referred to himself as the “grandpa” of the news staff, and his door was always open to reporters, photographers and editors who wanted to talk through an idea or concern, pick his brain for story angles, listen to his tales of Davenport’s past, or simply chat.
For 70 years, Wundram was married to the former Helen Voorhees. How they met was a classic Wundram story: In November 1949, after enjoying a free meal at a Davenport fire house, he slid down a recently waxed fireman’s pole, crashing to the concrete floor 20 feet below. His shattered left leg and wrenched right kneecap put him in the hospital, where he met a pretty red-haired student nurse. They were married Nov. 30, 1952, and had three children; their eldest son, Tim, and daughter, Rebecca. Their youngest child, Peter, died in 1998 at the age of 36.
Bill and Helen Wundram were partners in a lifetime of adventures, from meandering trips through the small towns and back roads of Iowa, to buying and remodeling houses in need of their special brand of TLC — only to move on to the next challenge once the makeover was complete.
The Wundrams passed the coldest months of winter in Englewood, Fla., where he for many years set up his laptop computer in the spare bedroom of their condominium to send back a stream of columns. He couldn’t bear to not be writing.
Chief among the adventures they shared were countless hours under the canvas as he indulged his fascination with the circus. He was on a first-name basis with the stars of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and a welcomed visitor to Clown Alley.
Among the many tributes to Wundram’s newspaper career were the unofficial designation, in 2004, of a block of LeClaire Street west of the Quad-City Times as Wundram Way and, in 2010, the creation of a pocket park at East 4th and Iowa streets in his name. But he likely considered to be equally significant the improvements to the city he loved that came about through his chiding question “Is anybody there? Does anybody care?”
A bronze statue of Wundram stands outside of the Quad-City Times in an area at East 4th Street and River Drive designated as Bix Plaza. The honor recognizes his involvement in the development of the Quad-City Times Bix 7 road race. The statue is next to that of one of his idols, jazz cornetist Bix Beiderbecke — another Davenport boy who made good in the bigger world.
More remembrances of Bill will appear in this "noospaper" later this week.
Bill Wundram Retirement 2
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram in his office December 20, 2017. Wundram turned 93 on December 21, 2017.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram in his office December 20, 2017. Wundram turned 93 on December 21, 2017.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram rides a bus home after work in Davenport, Iowa Friday September 29, 2017.
Bill Wundram, as Silly Billy, and his son, Tim, center, spent a week with the Franzen Bros. Circus in 1997.
Molly is 5 years old now.
Bill Wundram and a summer solstice egg. The superstition holds that since the Earth's axis is somehow shifting, on this one day of the year, it's possible to balance an egg upright on a flat surface.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram has a look at one of the seahorses to be restored for the carousel Tuesday at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport.
David Heller, owner of the Quad-Cities River Bandits, walks with Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram on Tuesday at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport.
David Heller, owner of the Quad-Cities River Bandits, listens in as carousel painter James Gibbs talks with Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram about the carousel ride Tuesday at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport.
David Heller, owner of the Quad-Cities River Bandits, shows Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram around the amusement rides Tuesday at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport.
Statues of famed jazz musician Bix Beiderbecke and Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram collect snow with their Santa Claus hats on in Davenport on Sunday, December 11, 2016.
Cheryl Brogla-Krupke catches up with Bill Wundram last week. They met 27 years ago when she shared her fears after being diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia.
Cheryl Brogla-Krupke catches up with Bill Wundram last week. They met 27 years ago when she shared her fears after being diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia.
Cheryl Brogla-Krupke catches up with Bill Wundram last week. They met 27 years ago when she shared her fears after being diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia.
Bill Wundram is a long-time champion of the Levee Inn on Davenport's riverfront. The former hot dog stand had a hot dog named after him.
Molly
After a few-months' stay with friends, Molly is home again.
Tim Wundram stands and talks to his dad, Bill Wundram about some of the pieces in the display case, Sunday, July 17, 2016, during an ice cream social reception for Bill at the Putnam Museum's mini-exhibit called Capt. Billy's Steamboat Treasures.
Longtime Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram takes a seat next to one of the displays of his steamboat treasures during an ice cream social reception for a mini-exhibit of his collection at the Putnam Museum on July 17, 2016.
Bill Wundram talks with guests about objects inside the display case, Sunday, July 17, 2016, during an ice cream social reception for his new mini-exhibit on display at the Putnam Museum.
The hat worn by a Delta Queen captain and a model of the Robert E. Lee steamboat are two artifacts on display in a mini-exhibit at the Putnam Museum called Capt. Billy's Steamboat Treasures. All of the artifacts were donated by Bill Wundram.
A tray from the Delta Queen is an artifact on display, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in a mini-exhibit called Capt. Billy's Steamboat Treasures at the Putnam Museum in Davenport. The items where all donated by Bill Wundram.
Bill Wundram and his wife Helen stand at the podium, Sunday, July 17, 2016, and say a few words during an ice cream social reception for his new mini-exhibit called Capt. Billy's Steamboat Treasures at the Putnam Museum.
Bill Wundram reacts to the Cord Busters singing Happy Birthday to him, Sunday, July 17, 2016, during an ice cream social reception for his mini-exhibit called Capt. Billy's Steamboat Treasures on display at the Putnam Museum in Davenport.
Nicholas Wundram with his grandfather, Bill.
Nicolas Wundram, grandson of Quad-City Times writer Bill Wundram sits atop the ladder, May 29, 2015, in the studio at the Quad-City Times.
Columnist Bill Wundram greets Democratic candidate for president U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders during a Quad-City Times editorial board meeting Friday in Davenport.
Wundram in high school
Molly checks out Wash N' Waggin, which advertises organic water as part of its dog wash deal.
John Hammond says he's never been bitten by a four-legged client of Wash N' Waggin, the mobile dog wash that he and his wife Jeanine operate on Florida's Gulf Coast. That's Bill's dog Molly getting a shower as part of the $12 package.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram visits with Maj. Gen. Kevin G. O'Connell Tuesday at the Quad-City Times.
Molly as a puppy
Want to reread a column by Bill Wundram? Get easy access to the noted writer's columns, videos and photos at qctimes.com/wundram.
Bill Wundram at the 2014 Festival of Tree's Parade in Davenport, Iowa.
Bill Wundram, Quad-City Times
Bill Wundram and the drum he received for Christmas in 1928.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram and Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba attends the 25th anniversary of Rejuvenate Davenport Gala, Tuesday, December 2, 2014, and to honor former president Don Decker.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram addresses the crowd while Dave Caris looks on at the 25th anniversary of Rejuvenate Davenport Gala, Tuesday, December 2, 2014, and to honor former president Don Decker.
Abby Scott, daughter of Barb and Doug Scott of Davenport, died three years ago when she was 15 years old. One year, some thieves stole the pumpkins she loved to display for Halloween, but Quad City residents supplied her with dozens of replacements after the situation was publicized by Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram. Abby's parents, Doug and Barbara Scott, are active in the Quad-City chapter of The Compassionate Friends.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram was fashionably attired to join the clown corps for Saturday morning's annual Festival of Trees Holiday Parade.
Bill Wundram's wedding ring and the metal trim on his cane perfectly, albeit improbably and accidentally, match.
Molly
Quad-City Times Columnist Bill Wundram, smiles as U. S. Representative Bruce Braley, answers questions during a sit down with The Quad-City Times Editorial Board.
Bill Wundram holds a hand-painted wood bucket featuring steamboats, the last item of his collection to be packed for the Putnam Museum.
Dan Hayes joined by Times columnist Bill Wundram, left, and Bix 7 Race Director Ed Froehlich. All three are recognized for their race contributions with statues at Times offices at 4th Street and River Drive.
Bill Wundram
Bill Wundram
Bill Wundram interviews one of The Democrat Lofts developers by phone from the old Davenport newspaper office where Wundram began his journalism career 70 years ago.
Bill Wundram and Andrea Helfrich discuss the idea behind keeping the old Democrat Publishing Company door that once was the vault where the money was kept. The room is now a meeting room.
ON THE JOB: Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram takes note as he works on yet another story.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram takes notes by a window at the old Democrat newspaper building on Brady Street in Davenport. The window is a modern version of the original in the building that has been renovated into apartments.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram and Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba share one of the 20 gondolas on the Modern Woodmen Park Ferris wheel.
Riders on the new Ferris wheel, take pictures and video of the view from the top, Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at Modern Woodmen Park, Davenport.
A Double Biller ---- Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram and Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba ride the new Ferris wheel for the first time, Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport.
The first group of riders try out the new, operating Ferris wheel, Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at Modern Woodmen Park.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram says a few words before taking the first ride in the new Ferris wheel on May 21 at Modern Woodmen Park, Davenport.
Riders take in the panoramic view from the new Ferris wheel at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport. A ribbon-cutting was held before the $1.05 million attraction was tried out by the first passengers. For more photos, go to qctimes.com/photo galleries.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram says a few words before taking the first ride in the new Ferris wheel, Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at Modern Woodmen Park, Davenport.
Dignitaries ride the new Ferris wheel at Modern Woodmen Park for the first time, Wednesday, May 21, 2014, impressed with the view of Davenport, shortly after the ribbon was cut official opening the ride.
The new Ferris wheel was photographed earlier this season as members of the Quad-Cities River Bandits warmed up.
The first riders on the new Ferris wheel use their cell phones to snap pictures of the view, Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at Modern Woodmen Park.
The official ribbon cutting of the new Ferris wheel at Modern Woodmen Park, Wednesday, May 21, 2014, cut by Quad-City River Bandits owner Dave Heller.
Quad Cities River Bandits owner Dave Heller says a few words prior to cutting the ribbon to celebrate the opening of the new Ferris wheel at Modern Woodmen Park on May 21, 2014.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram and Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba ride the new Ferris wheel at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport.
Times Associate Editor and Columnist Bill Wundram discusses downtown Davenport with Amy Gill.
Bill Wundram, out of the hospital and modeling the Shampoo Cap that kept his hair squeaky clean.
Quad-City Times Bix 7 race director Ed Froehlich, left, introduces Bill Wundram during a Christmas party Wednesday night at the Outing Club in Davenport. Wundram revealed to the audience that he suffered a stroke on Saturday.
Bill Wundram leads members of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra in "Sleigh Ride."
Bill Wundram leads the Quad-City Symphony Orchestra.
Bill Wundram leads members of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra in "Sleigh Ride."
Bill Wundram leads members of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra in "Sleigh Ride."
Bill Wundram showed Saturday night that he's a comfortable with a baton in hand as he is at the keyboard. Wundram, the longtime Quad-City Times columnist, took the stage at the Quad-City Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops concert as his reward for winning the symphony's Pursuit of the Podium contest. Wundram conducted "Sleigh Ride" in his inimitable style, blowing a kiss to the audience when he was done and giving songstress Debby Boone, the concert's featured performer, a kiss as he left the stage. The community donated $16,249 in support of Wundram as the guest conductor at the iWireless Center. The contest brought in a total of $28,924 for the symphony.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram looks over the teletype news bulletins and newspapers he saved for 50 years from the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram reads some of the teletype news bulletins about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy that came into the Davenport newsroom on Nov. 22, 1963.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram reads the teletype news bulletins about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy that came into the Davenport newsroom on Nov. 22, 1963.
Two boxes contained the teletype news bulletins about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram boxed up the material 50 years ago and recently opened them for the first time since that day.
Help turn Bill's frown upside down.
Bill Wundram, a member of the Davenport High School Class of 1943, chats with Bonnie Lang during dinner at the 70th class reunion on Sunday
June Meyer Wiese and Bill Wundram thumb through their Davenport High School yearbook, "The Blackhawk," from their graduating class of 1943. Both were on hand to celebrate the 70th class reunion at Silvercrest Garner Retirement Community.
Bill Wundram and the Quad-City Symphony Orchestra
Bill Wundram and the Quad-City Symphony Orchestra
Bill Wundram and the Quad-City Symphony Orchestra.
Around the table, from left: University of Iowa Vice President Daniel Reed, President Sally Mason and her chief of staff, Mark Braun, meet Thursday with Times Editorial Board members including Publisher Greg Veon and columnist Bill Wundram. Also present were Executive Editor Jan Touney, community member John Wetzel and Editorial Page Editor Mark Ridolfi.
Molly, a dog owned by Helen and Bill Wundram, shows off her dancing skills atr their home in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 29, 2013.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram greets friends at a ceremony to name the greenspace at 4th and Iowa Streets William Wundram Parkway in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 22, 2013.
A ceremony names the greenspace at 4th and Iowa Streets William Wundram Parkway to honor Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 22, 2013.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram wears a bow tie at a ceremony to name the greenspace at 4th and Iowa Streets William Wundram Parkway in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 22, 2013.
A ceremony names the greenspace at 4th and Iowa Streets William Wundram Parkway to honor Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 22, 2013.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram greets friends at a ceremony to name the greenspace at 4th and Iowa Streets William Wundram Parkway in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 22, 2013.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram speaks during a ceremony to name the greenspace at 4th and Iowa Streets William Wundram Parkway in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 22, 2013.
A ceremony names the greenspace at 4th and Iowa Streets William Wundram Parkway to honor Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 22, 2013.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram greets friends at a ceremony to name the greenspace at 4th and Iowa Streets William Wundram Parkway in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 22, 2013.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram greets friends at a ceremony to name the greenspace at 4th and Iowa Streets William Wundram Parkway in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 22, 2013.
A ceremony names the greenspace at 4th and Iowa Streets William Wundram Parkway to honor Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 22, 2013.
A ceremony names the greenspace at 4th and Iowa Streets William Wundram Parkway to honor Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 22, 2013.
The Circus Band performs during a ceremony naming the greenspace at 4th and Iowa Streets William Wundram Parkway to honor Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 22, 2013.
The Circus Band performs during a ceremony naming the greenspace at 4th and Iowa Streets William Wundram Parkway to honor Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 22, 2013.
The Circus Band performs during a ceremony naming the greenspace at 4th and Iowa Streets William Wundram Parkway to honor Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 22, 2013.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram greets friends at a ceremony to name the greenspace at 4th and Iowa Streets William Wundram Parkway in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 22, 2013.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram and his wife Helen and dog Molly greet friends at a ceremony to name the greenspace at 4th and Iowa Streets William Wundram Parkway in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 22, 2013.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram speaks Monday afternoon during a ceremony to dedicate the William Wundram Parkway at 4th and Iowa streets in downtown Davenport. The ceremony included the unveiling of the artwork/sign behind him.
A ceremony names the greenspace at 4th and Iowa Streets William Wundram Parkway to honor Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 22, 2013.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram greets friends at a ceremony to name the greenspace at 4th and Iowa Streets William Wundram Parkway in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 22, 2013.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram greets friends at a ceremony to name the greenspace at 4th and Iowa Streets Wundram Parkway in Davenport, Iowa Monday July 22, 2013.
Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram greets former state Sen. Maggie Tinsman during Monday's dedication of the William Wundram Parkway in downtown Davenport.
Molly
Jimmy Earhart and Bill Wundram with a sack of "pitch peanuts."
Molly
Bill Wundram
Bill Wundram, Quad-City Times
Little Molly gets to know two larger dogs at the Paws Park in Venice, Fla.

