James Joseph Heying, formerly of Estate Shoys, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, passed away peacefully surrounded by family this morning, August 15, 2025. Jim was a quiet man with a very loud presence, deeply committed to building a legacy through his children.
Born in Cresco, Iowa, where his family owned and operated a farm, Jim joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Following his service, he attended the University of Iowa, earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting before becoming a CPA with Deloitte. He later joined the executive team at the Virgin Islands Telephone Company (VITELCO), where he became a pivotal figure in the company’s leadership.
Jim was deeply engaged in the Virgin Islands community, serving on the Board of Trustees for the Good Hope School and on the Board of the Government Employees’ Retirement System (GERS). He was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Barrenspot, St. Croix, and later St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Coralville, Iowa.
Jim is married to Junia “June” Bideau, and together they raised four very accomplished and self-motivated children: Matthew Heying (Arizona), Nikki Quinn Johnson aka Lexi Jaydon (Texas & Iowa) former Miss Hal Jackson Talented Teen VI 1995 and Miss St.Croix 1996, Christine Heying (Iowa) and Marques Nicholas Brathwaite (U.S. Virgin Islands).
Jim was a devoted grandfather and was actively involved in the lives of his grandchildren—driving them to school, attending countless basketball games, and supporting their academic and personal achievements, including a grandson’s participation in the Disney College Program.
He is preceded in death by his parents Helen and Greg Heying; father-in-law Bruce Williams, affectionately known as “Daddy Bruce,” a prominent political figure in Saint Lucia, particularly in the Vieux Fort region, who served as a Member of Parliament for Vieux Fort South and North and as Minister of Health; uncle, Boswell Williams former Governor-General of Saint Lucia; brother-in-law Cohen Williams; and sister-in-law Carmen Heying, stepfather Zeno Kappes and adoptive parents Ed & Irene Vobr.
Jim’s passing will be felt not only in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the United States, but across Europe, the Caribbean, South America, and South Africa, where his extended family, friends, and professional connections reside.
He is survived by his loving wife, Junia “June” Bideau; his children; his sons-in-law Jerry Johnson and JT Anderson; daughter-in-law Emma Swanson; brothers Louis Heying, Joe (Tara) Heying (Minnesota) and Dean (Joy)Heying; sisters Gail Heying, Colleen Michels, Karen Cook (Colorado), and Elaine (Roland) Fay; stepmother Helen Kappes; Dorothy (Roger) Christensen (Iowa), Duane (Michelle) Kappes (Minnesota) Don (Jodi) Kappes (Iowa) Sharon (Tim) Ryan (Iowa), Steven (Brenda) Kappes (Iowa), Shirley Olson (Minnesota), Suzy (Elvis) Cole (Minnesota), mother-in-law Dorothy “Anza” Bideau; brothers-in-law Peter Bideau, Tenesky Monbelly, Chris Monbelly (Ariela Hayes) Pammar Bideau, Dean Baptiste of Xpress Band, Attorney Michael Joseph, Lincoln Williams; sisters-in-law Kathleen Bideau, Vanda Alezy Baptiste, Carlyn Bideau, Tia Joseph, Ana Monbelly, Wanda Scatliffe, Toye Williams, and Velicia Williams; countless cousins nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and extended family.
Special recognition is given to close family, friends and colleagues- Former Governor of the Virgin Islands Kenneth Mapp, Rudy Abramson, Raymond Abramson, Sylvie Augustin, Yvonne Ramcharitar and family, Marie Samuel and family, Lucia Fredrick and family, Harold Brathwaite and the entire VITELCO family, Marie Bideau and family (New York), Porcia and Sasha Bideau, Kate, Melton, and Richard Adams and family (Virginia), long-time friends Bill and Tuddy Bohlke of Bohlke International Aviation, Earl Morris Sr. (US Virgin Islands), Jathan Desir (Texas), Ty Larson (Arizona), Robby Thorson & Janet Koch( Iowa), John Raynor (Nebraska) and many others who touched Jim’s life.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the team of amazing doctors at the University of Iowa Cancer Center and the hospice nurses who cared for Jim through the end.
An immediate service and celebration of life will take place in Iowa on Monday August 25, 2025 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Coralville, IA at 1:00pm, followed by a gathering at Kent Park in Tiffin, IA. His remains will then be transported to the U.S. Virgin Islands for a final resting place in St.Croix at a later date.
A private memorial and military funeral will be held for friends and family. Memories and condolences may be shared by emailing Nikki Quinn Johnson at nicolejohnson1106@gmail.com
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