William C. Mulder Memorial Fund

William "Bill" C. Mulder was a husband, father, friend and Navy SEAL.  He served his country for 20 years.  He was highly decorated after deploying overseas countless times defending our freedom.  It goes without saying that those who knew Bill understood his passion for family, friends, exploration and living life to the fullest.  He was never interested in personal accolades but more so for the team.  He spent his whole life playing for a team.  Whether it was at his high school in Plainview, Texas playing football, at Central College playing football for the Dutch or serving his country on Seal Team 5 and 6, Bill was a TEAM guy.  When Bill retired from the Navy it was a struggle.  He wasn't the same after all the sacrifices in the military.  Fighting for our freedoms stole the spirit from Bill that we all knew and loved.  He fought hard but in a final text from him he said that he was done.  That he had fought a good fight and he needed a break.  I witnessed that painful fight, his brain wasn't letting him continue on.  On June 9th, 2017 his life ended on earth but his memory and legacy continues on.  I have given much thought over the last 9 months on how to honor him appropriately.  Initially, it seemed like a memorial at the Central College football field would and should be the thing to do.   But Bill never wanted to be in the limelight.  Deep down he didn't enjoy being "on stage."  It became clear to me that he wouldn't want to be memorialized that way.  Bill was my college roommate and my best friend of 28 years.  Losing him was a huge blow to me as it was to many people.  Honoring him in a way he would want to be honored is my mission.  My goal is to make it our mission because of all he did for us.   This may come as a surprise to some but Bill was one of, if not the most well read people I know.  His thirst for knowledge, especially history, lead him to become an avid reader and historian.  He had a very high regard for the education of children.  This was very personal to him.  Over the years he traveled to Van Meter for sporting events, graduations, and various other outings and get togethers.   My hope is that you will help me honor Bill and his service to our country by making a donation in his memory.  The money from his memorial fund will be given entirely to a senior football player at Van Meter who enrolls in a college this fall and is in need of assistance.  The characteristics of this student will include toughness, a team player, a quiet professional and a real passion for people, relationships and life.   Bill will also be honored at the senior awards night in Van Meter at the highest level.  The scholarship winner will have been identified as someone whom Bill would have been proud to see receive this honor.  This scholarship will help fulfill an educational experience for a young adult that Bill would be proud of.  I know many of you give to different charities and scholarships already and have children at many different high schools around the state of Iowa and the country.   But you have a chance right now to give something in Bill's honor that will start an educational legacy.  Bill would say, "its time to suck it up!"  Yes he would for sure!  Lets start his memorial off with stars and stripes HOOYAH and hit $10,000 by May 1.  He would be "all in."