Bill Sherman "The Godfather of Country Schools" leaves an incredible legacy
We met Bill in 2007 during the premiere of our documentary "Lost Nation: The Ioway" at the State Historical Building in Des Moines. Prior to introducing the film, Bill got in the elevator with "Ioway" filmmaker Tammy and pitched in 30 seconds a documentary film on the history of one-room schools in Iowa and the Midwest. Tammy thought he was going to follow her onto the stage to join her filmmaker husband Kelly. But Bill shook her hand and gave her a card and took his seat in the audience. Little did we know that this was the man who got the one-room school on the Iowa quarter, and he was persuasive and persistent.
Two years later, we were in the field documenting during all four seasons some 100+ one-room schools in Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Kansas. We filmed interviews with scholars, historians, preservationists, former one-room school teachers and students and, of course, Bill.
He was the first person we called to announce the Emmy-nomination for "Country School: One Room - One Nation".
He was our biggest cheerleader and was not shy about pitching more one-room school documentary ideas to us. He consulted on "The Amish Incident 1 & 2" documentary series, introducing us to the key figures involved.
And, when the seven-year restoration of Forest Grove No. 5 in Bettendorf, Iowa was completed, Bill was there for the ribbon cutting, beaming. Nothing lit him up like a Christmas tree more than seeing a dilapidated Iowa schoolhouse come back to life. We captured his pride that day and included it in our feature documentary "Resurrecting Forest Grove". He was at the Putnam Giant Screen premiere of that film with his wife Faith, and very pleased when the film won an Emmy in the Historical Documentary category.
Our relationship with Bill evolved from professional acquaintances to fellow 'missionaries' of historic preservation to a lasting friendship.
When we first met Bill eighteen years ago, he struck us as being very serious, and his reactions rather understated. But as time went on, Kelly managed to get Bill to crack a smile, and even laugh. But it was seeing his eyes tear up in 2023 when he presented Forest Grove preservationist Sharon Andresen with the Iowa Standard School plaque to go on the one-room school's freshly painted door, that we saw how deep those emotions went. It could not have been more poignant.
As we read the email our friend Caroline Bredekamp sent to us about Bill's passing, we sat rather quiet and we were flooded with memories and emotions, not able to comprehend the fact that he was gone.
Kelly said, Bill did so much for song long, it is impossible to calculate just how much he contributed to the preservation of one-room school history, and Iowa history. You feel rather lost when protectors of history walk on.
Bill left all of us with big shoes to fill. But the best way to honor him is to continue his journey and his tireless work of preserving Iowa history and the iconic country schools that still dot the Iowa landscape--some freshly painted and restored, and some returning to the earth. Bill believed they all whispered stories and taught us something.
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Bill's wife Faith and their family, and to all who loved him. He is truly going to be missed by so many of us.
We know with certainty that whenever we hear a country school bell ring out we will think of Bill and the incredible and important legacy he left behind.
We include Bill's obituary below.
William Lee Sherman, 84, was born February 6, 1941 in Buckeye, Iowa, the first son of William Marion and Sybil Sheets Sherman. He died October 27, 2025 of Alzheimer’s-related complications at Luther Park in Des Moines. The family moved to Chapin, Hampton, Newburg, and Grinnell as his parents taught and administered in these schools. He graduated from Grinnell High School in 1959, and earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Iowa. During high school and college, he worked for the Grinnell Herald Register, the Waterloo Courier, the Muscatine Journal, and the Daily Iowan, starting a lifelong love of journalism.
He married Faith Nimrod in Stanton, Iowa, in 1967 and they lived all of their married life in Des Moines. They raised two children, Mark and Meredith, in the same home they continued to live in for 57 years.
Devoting his whole life to public education, Bill worked for 36 years as a public relations specialist for the Iowa State Education Association. He was active in the NEA and the Public Relations Society of America. He edited the book Tributes to Iowa Teachers in 1996. As part of his final work for the ISEA he coordinated publication of Iowa’s Country Schools: Landmarks of Learning, honoring the 12,000 country schools that once dotted Iowa’s rural landscape. After retiring in 2000, he continued to encourage the preservation of country schools, organizing 24 state conferences. He helped found and actively participated in the Country School Association of America.
Bill was active in historical and preservation efforts, including the Des Moines, Polk County, and Iowa State Historical organizations, the Terrace Hill Society Foundation, and Hoyt Sherman Place. He spearheaded the creation and installation of the “Birthplace of Des Moines” downtown mural near the Principal Park Stadium. He was instrumental in the selection of the 2004 Iowa quarter that recognized our state’s foundation in education. He was active in the Lower Beaver Neighborhood Association, and successfully campaigned for the upgrade of the Northwest swimming pool. Other interests included coaching at Beaverdale Little League, ushering for the Iowa Cubs, volunteering at the Iowa Hall of Pride and the Heritage Gallery, and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes. He was a longtime member of the Golden K Kiwanis.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Faith, their son Mark (Karen) of Lone Tree, CO, daughter Meredith (Dan) Borchardt of Clarksville, IA, grandchildren Nathan Sherman, Janet (fiancé Carter Bratland) Borchardt, and Rachel Borchardt, brothers Don (Cheryl) Sherman and Tom (Mary) Sherman, brothers-in-law Vance Nimrod and Dale (Sunny) Nimrod, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-siblings Florence (Floyd) Rytting and Bob (Marjorie, Keota) Sherman, and sister-in-law Jean Ann Nimrod.
He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, 4300 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, where his memorial service will be held on Monday, November 10, at 11:00am following a visitation at 10:00am. Burial will be at the Chapel Hill Gardens Cemetery.
The family extends big thanks to the staff for the excellent care received at Broadlawns Memory Center, Iowa Lutheran Hospital, Luther Park, and Gentiva Hospice.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to Zion Lutheran Church or the Country School Association of America.
