William "Billy" E. Brandel

GARNAVILLO, IOWA

William “Bill” Brandel, 88, of Garnavillo, Iowa, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Bill was born on May 2, 1938, at Mercy Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa, to Louise Gibson. He was raised in Houston, Texas, by his mother and stepfather, Vincent Sepanio and his brother Tom Sepanio.

Bill spent his summers on the island in Guttenberg, Iowa, where he met the love of his life, Judith “Judy” Nuehring. Judy was waitressing at a restaurant in town, and their meeting marked the beginning of a lifetime together. They married on August 22, 1959, and from that marriage came four sons: Tom, Tim, Tyler, and Terry.

Bill worked at John Deere in Dubuque as a set-up man. After leaving John Deere, he owned and operated Bill’s Boat Landing, a marina and bait shop in Clayton, Iowa. After selling the marina and bait shop, he went to work at Kann’s Manufacturing in Guttenberg, IA. He enjoyed woodworking, hunting, and trapping but his greatest passion was spending time on the river with a fishing pole in hand. Strong-willed, independent, and a little ornery, Bill was also a patient fishing teacher. He shared his love of the river and fishing with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, passing along his knowledge and plenty of fishing stories. Those moments together—and the stories he told—will remain cherished family memories.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 67 years, Judy Brandel of Garnavillo; his four sons, Tom, Tim, Tyler, and Terry; his brother, Tom Sepanio of Splendora, Texas with additional nieces and nephews from Texas; eight grandchildren, Alicia (Tim) Helle, Tasha (Chad) Fritz, Samantha (Zach) Corsbie, Cody (Sam) Brandel, Kass, Kory (Sydney) Brandel, Courtney (Matt) Winch, and Kole; and twelve great-grandchildren, Caleb, Caden, Brynlee, Evelyn, Gannen, Emery, Olivia, Mila, Lance, Bryce, Warren, and Gatlin. He was preceded in death by his mother, Louise Sepanio, and his stepfather, Vincent Sepanio.

Visitation will be held at Morris Funeral Home in Garnavillo, Iowa, on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. with a short prayer service to follow. A private burial will be held at Clayton Cemetery in Clayton, Iowa. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

His memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him, in the stories they share, and in the river that meant so much to him. Resting peacefully and forever fishing.

Morris Funeral Home (Dyersville, Guttenberg, Garnavillo, Monticello, Holy Cross) is assisting the family and online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramer-morrisfuneralhome.com.