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 family was his pride and joy. 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 was entrusted with arrangements.

A Celebration of Life will take place at the Hauberg Estate Carriage House on May 4th at 2p.m. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for St. Ambrose University Football, or donations to Planned Parenthood.