William (Bill) James Tallett Sr., 76, was welcomed into his eternal home on October 5, 2024, at his residence.

Bill was born on May 25, 1948, in Clinton, Iowa, where his lifelong love for all things Iowa began.

After graduating from Clinton High School, Class of 1966, Bill—known as "Red" to his classmates—worked as a carpenter until he joined the Army Reserves in 1968. He proudly served 15 months in Vietnam with the 518th Military Intelligence Division (MID) of the 82nd Airborne Division. Upon returning home, Bill was stationed at Fort Holabird, Maryland, where he met his future wife, Kathy Tallett (Zimmerer).

Following the completion of his military service in 1974, Bill and Kathy settled in Clinton, Iowa, where they started a family and founded Bill Tallett Pools and Construction. In the summer of 1988, the family relocated to Maryland, where Bill continued to raise his four children and began a long career with Harford County Public Schools. In 2001, Bill remarried Danille Hepner and later celebrated his retirement in 2019. Though he spent his later years in Maryland, his heart always remained firmly rooted in Iowa.

Bill is survived and deeply missed by his children: Heather (Joe) Ayd, Michael Tallett, and Mary (Shawn) Spangler, as well as his six cherished grandchildren: Hailey, Reese, Logan, Madison, Sutton, and Kenzie. He is also survived by his nephew Willard Smith and will be remembered fondly by many close friends and relatives.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Hazel (Smith) Tallett; his sister, Bonnie (Tallett) Lohse; his brother, Jay Smith; his nephew, Donald Smith; and his beloved son, William James Tallett Jr.

Bill will be remembered as a proud veteran, a skilled carpenter, a cancer survivor, a Sudoku master, a jokester, and a die-hard Hawkeye fan. Most importantly, Bill will be remembered as a loving and dedicated father whose love and laughter will be forever missed.

Viewing will begin on Friday (10/11/2024) at 10:00 AM and a memorial service will be held at 12:00 Noon at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home Of Dundalk, Inc., 7922 Wise Ave, Dundalk, MD 21222. The service will be followed by a burial at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery 7401 German Hill Rd, Dundalk, MD 21222. Everyone is encouraged to wear Iowa Hawkeye gear or colors.