William C. Olmstead

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Bill became the school’s first principal and helped found Temple Christian Academy in Moline.

William (Bill) Carl Olmstead of Moline, Illinois, passed away on July 28, 2026. Bill was born on April 26, 1946, in Moline, Illinois. He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1964. He attended Augustana College and Moody Bible Institute in Chicago before earning his bachelor’s degree from Life Bible College in Los Angeles, California. He later received his master’s degree in education from Western Illinois University.

Bill worked alongside his father, Carl Olmstead, at J.I. Case Company in Rock Island for many years. After graduating from Western Illinois University, he helped found Temple Christian Academy in Moline. In 1977, under the direction of Dr. Charles L. Hollis, Bill became the school’s first principal. The school began as a K–6 institution and eventually grew into a preschool-through-high-school academy.

In 2001, the church council closed the high school at Temple Christian Academy. Parents of the high school students approached Bill about starting a new high school in the Moline area. That fall, Quad City Christian School began its school year in the Salvation Army building in downtown Moline. After a few years, the campus moved to 16th Street in Moline. As the school continued to grow, the current Quad City Christian School campus was purchased just off John Deere Road in Moline.

Bill served as head administrator, principal, teacher, athletics director, bus driver, and in countless other roles that helped support the education of his students. He retired from full-time education thirteen years ago.

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Through more than 40 years in Christian education, Bill not only helped educate young students but also had the opportunity to teach and lead their children and grandchildren.

Through more than 40 years in Christian education, Bill not only helped educate young students but also had the opportunity to teach and lead their children and grandchildren. He leaves behind an amazing heritage of Christian education in the Quad Cities area.

Another accomplishment of which Bill was extremely proud was the number of foreign exchange students who chose to attend Quad City Christian School. Students from all over the world came to the area, lived with local families, and were educated by gifted teachers. Many of these students became lifelong friends with their fellow classmates.

After retiring from full-time education, Bill became a limousine driver for ACT 2 Transportation. He made countless trips throughout the Midwest, transporting private passengers, high school sports teams, business leaders, and foreign travelers to their destinations.

Bill was a member of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Moline, where he had been a member for more than 25 years. He sang in the choir, served as a board member involved in church administration, taught various classes, and was an integral part of the Cornerstone family.

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Another accomplishment of which Bill was extremely proud was the number of foreign exchange students who chose to attend Quad City Christian School.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Ruth and Carl Olmstead, and his sister, Carolyn Mundt.

He is survived by his children, Debbie Beals and her husband, Keith, and Daniel Christian, both living in Massachusetts; his grandchildren, Arianna and Ty; and his brothers, Paul Olmstead of Carrollton, Texas, and Chuck Olmstead of Frederick, Maryland.

Funeral services are being provided by Wendt Funeral Home in Moline. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow immediately at Greenview Memorial Gardens in Silvis, Illinois.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Salvation Army in Moline https://donate.centralusa.salvationarmy.org/campaign/81

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He sang in the choir, served as a board member involved in church administration, taught various classes, and was an integral part of the Cornerstone family.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences online at www.wendtfuneralhome.com.