Date of Death: August 7, 2025
Service Details
A celebration of lives honoring both Bill and Jo will be hosted in November 2025.
Obituary Notice
Darrell Loren “Bill” Lewis, age 93, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2025, surrounded by family in the comfort of his home. Bill gifted Jo by joining her in heaven on her birthday; leaving behind a remarkable legacy of love, hard work, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Born on November 20, 1931 to Milton and Blanche Ione (Wilson) Lewis, Bill grew up in Mason City, Iowa on a farm. Bill was an avid athlete and promoted to varsity basketball as a sophomore and played football for Mason City High. Bill’s life was defined by quiet determination, deep devotion to family and a belief in the American dream — one that he not only believed in, but built with his own hands.
On October 22, 1950, Bill married the love of his life, Jo, at the iconic Little Brown Church in Iowa. Their marriage spanned 71 years of unwavering partnership, love, and mutual respect. Jo preceded Bill in death, but her presence remained a guiding light in his life until the very end.
Bill began his career at age 16 as a freight receiving clerk at the Osco Drug store in Mason City, Iowa. Through years of dedication and perseverance, Bill and Jo rose through the ranks of Jewel/Osco retail. Ultimately, he worked his way to being the president of Osco Drug.
He left Osco in 1976 to purchase 3 Osco stores and added 4 more stores to have a 7 store drug store chain called Lewis Drug. In a poetic full circle, Bill purchased the very Mason City store where he had first started as a teen and proudly turned it into a Lewis Drug. The chain existed until the last store was sold in 2000. His business thrived across South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, a true testament to his entrepreneurial vision and tireless work ethic.
In retirement, Bill and Jo lived between Pleasant Lake in Three Rivers, Michigan and Scottsdale, Arizona. He loved the game of golf and played well into his 70’s. His memberships included Medinah and Troon Country Club. Their love and enjoyment of nature included pontoon rides on Pleasant Lake and country and desert rides fondly called “Walking the Line.”
Bill was an amazingly loving Papa who loved story telling. The stories revolved around his love for his wife “Joey,” his ultimate respect for his brother “Lefty” and other influential people in his life. He was always positive in his message delivery of life’s lessons and he was a pure leader in every way possible.
Bill is survived by his children, John Loren “Spark” Lewis, Lonnette Ann Wood (Dale), and Sherri Jo Wagner (Rodney); Grandchildren, Maxwell John Lewis, Samuel Loren Lewis, Mitchell Paul Lewis, Evelyn Aija Wagner, and Darrell Robert “Billy” Wagner; Great Grandchild, Greyson Scott Lewis (Kylie Willma, mother). He is preceded in death by his beautiful wife Mary Jo Lewis and adored grandson John Paul Lewis.
Bill Lewis lived his life with intention, heart and humor— a devoted husband, father, grandfather, visionary businessman and a man who never forgot where he came from.
Additional Information
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So sorry for your loss of your dad. I worked for him in Rapid City Sd I learned so much from the time working for Lewis Drug and DL. Lewis. He was a wonderful person to work for.
We are sending our deepest sympathy and prayers, for the entire Lewis Family. Today we were just sharing a memory of “DL”, from the Lewis Drug Days, Rapid City and found the obituary, also we seen Jo had passed, too, what a wonderful caring woman! Working for “DL” and with Jo once in a while, was really a treat!! They both passed, on encouragement and always had pearls of wisdom to share, that I still live by today. I started working for them, in High School and moved up the ranks, also I was a receiving clerk, like “DL”, Over my 11 years, with the DL Lewis Drug Company, it truly was like working, with family!
Starla Volk
So many memories of such a kind and humble man who was full of love, laughter and a little bit of mischief. I will remember him (and dear, sweet Jo) fondly, long and well. Sending strength for the hard days to come, peace for your tender hearts and love to surround you all.
Our deepest sympathy for the Lewis family. Sending prayers.
Our deepest condolences to your family. I had always been told how wonderful your mom and dad were. Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to meet him or your mom. Reading about your dad and how he started at the age of 16 in the freight recieving and ending his career in the position he had. Wonderful and incrediable are the two words that come to mind. What a lovely written tribute in honor of him. The dash between 1931 – 2025 he filled with a lifetime of memories and achievements
John from my family ( the Howarth family) we send our condolences and prayers to you and your family.
I was lucky to have him coach my 6th grade basketball team.. He gave me a sense of confidence that took me along way . I played basketball in high school which I had the privilege to play with SPARY JOHN LORAN LEWIS AKA BABYSTEPS. He gave me the confidence in my life I could do what ever I wanted to .I ended playing college football . Thanks to Bill… I will miss him dearly. It was a better world with Bill in it. A lot of people benefited from Bill being in their life … BILL I LOVE YOU AND I WILL MISS YOU , YOU WILL BE ALIVE IN MY HEART….
I had the honor of knowing your mother and father living on the lake , often saw them on their pontoon taking their evening cruise . I also got to know your dad much better when I started cutting his hair , always enjoyed your mom and he when they came in. We had nice visits..
beautifully written story of his life , I enjoyed reading it.
my sincere condolences to your family. 🙏