A Gift from a Kind Heart: Bill Metcalfe

When Cristin (McPherren) Watrous (’01) talks about her grandfather Bill Metcalfe, it’s with fondness and admiration. She uses the verse Ephesians 4:32 to describe how he lived his life, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." She says he was kind to everybody.

Bill and his wife Corene were very passionate about making sure Cristin and her siblings had a Christian education. They viewed it as a tool to help their grandchildren learn about God and keep them on track. 

“He worked four jobs to send us to Des Moines Christian School.  Without him, we wouldn’t have been able to attend. Instead of building a retirement for himself, he was taking care of us. He was at every game, every activity, and he served on the DMC board. He was just amazing,” Cristin said.

When Bill passed away in 2024, DMC learned that he left a planned gift in his will to benefit the school.
“He always talked about scholarships and the opportunity for other kids to attend the school,” Cristin said. “He was a humble man. He wasn’t necessarily thinking about leaving a legacy, he just wanted to give what he could at the end of his life.”

Bill believed so much in education that at the age of 50, he went back to school and earned his master’s degree in Business from Drake University. He was a small business owner, a veteran who served in World War II, and husband of 52 years to his wife Corene, who passed away in 2003. 

When Bill became unable to live alone, Cristin welcomed him into her home, with her husband and seven children. She told him, “You took care of me; we’re going to take care of you now.” Bill lived with Cristin and her family for four years before passing away in 2024.

Bill’s generosity and kindness have left a lasting legacy at Des Moines Christian School. His planned gift is a testament to his heart for Christian education, and we are deeply grateful for his investment in the lives of our students. His impact will continue to be felt for generations to come.