William K. Ponder

After a brave fight, William Kemp Ponder, aged 81, passed away December 28, 2024, in Rock Island, Illinois. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Wallace and Barbara Ponder and has two sisters, Beverly Campion and Cyndi Ponder who he adored. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy and Kent State University.

His pride and joy was his family. Bill is survived by his wife, Claudia Ponder, daughter Tori Ponder Brown (David Brown, husband and children Kai and Ella), son Sean Ponder (wife Michele Ponder, children Shelby (who gave him the most perfect great-granddaughter, Melanie), Alec, Irelyn, Kasen, Brooke and Sawyer), son Wallace Kemp Ponder (son Will Ponder), and son Greg Hancock (wife Bobbi and children Shay, Kara, Jake, Molly and Spencer).

Bill was proud to be a Navy veteran. “Go Navy. Beat Army.” He loved sailing, travel and flying. As a sailor he always reminded us, “You can’t change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails to always reach your destination.” 

Bill donated his body to the University of Iowa, Carver Medical School. Trimble Funeral Home & Crematory, Moline is entrusted with arrangements. Stories and condolences may be shared at TrimbleFuneralHome.com. 

A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date. Memorials may be made to St. Ambrose University Football or Planned Parenthood.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.