On June 22, 1958, William married Lafonda Gerloff at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garnavillo, Iowa. Three children were born to this union, William III, Lisa and Beth.
William was a farmer through and through. He lived a life rooted in the Iowa farmland, built on hard work, family, laughter, and a little bit of mischief along the way. As a dairy farmer, he knew the value of hard work and took pride in the land and the life he built. William had a great sense of humor and enjoyed telling stories, cracking jokes, giving everyone a hard time, especially Lafonda. When it came to his grandchildren, he definitely was an instigator. He loved spending time with the people he loved, riding the four-wheeler and taking car rides, especially so he could look at the crops. He was the best daddy ever.
William is survived by his children, William (Michelle) Scherf III of Farmersburg, Lisa (Dan) Berns of Farmersburg and Beth (Mark) Bries of Monona; Grandchildren, Joshua (Kathy) Kluth, William (Erin) Scherf IV, Kyle (Chelsea) Berns, Adam (Whitney Schott) Berns, Zachary (Autumn Schuety) Radloff, Derek (Tonya) Radloff, Annie (Corbin) Montgomery and Matthew (Nicole) Radloff; great-grandchildren, Kahlei, Alyssa, Scarlett, William V., Vivien, Karish, Kellian, Kirilee, Gabe, June, Eli, Conner, Addison, Charlotte, Hudson, Lawson, Weston, Bennett, Paisley and Kayden; sisters, Marlene Glawe and Vernelda VanNote, numerous nieces and nephews; and good friend Pat Wacker
William was preceded in death by his wife, Lafonda Scherf; granddaughter, Brooklyn Scherf; great-granddaughter, Gracelynn Radloff; his parents, William and Viola Scherf; brothers, Loren Scherf, Eldean Scherf and Lloyd Scherf; brothers-in-law, Verdine Glawe and Wayne VanNote; and sisters-in-law, Cheryll and JoAnn Scherf.
A Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sunday, November 8, 2026 at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Monona, Iowa. There will also be a visitation from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at the church on Monday before services.
Funeral Services will be at 10:30 am on Monday, November 9, 2026 at St. John Lutheran Church in Farmersburg, Iowa with Rev. Jeremy Wolfe as the officiant.
Interment will follow at Farmersburg-Wagner Cemetery in Farmersburg, Iowa.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona, Iowa is assisting the family with services.