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02/12/2015 - William “Bill” Elder Jr.
Funeral services for William “Bill” H. Elder Jr., age 90, will be at 10:00 AM on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Hemingford with Father John Kakkuzhiyil officiating.
Burial with Military Honors will be in the Hemingford Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at Bates-Gould Funeral Home in Hemingford. A Rosary service will be at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, February 11, 2015at St. Bridget Catholic Church.
A memorial has been established for the Hemingford Volunteer Firefighters Association or Chadron Volunteer Fire Department.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.
Bill passed away at Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance on Sunday, February 8, 2015. He was born north of Hemingford on the family farm/ranch on April 23, 1924 to William H. and Christina (Gasseling) Elder, Sr. He grew up on the family farm/ranch milking cows and raising hogs, cattle, chickens, horses, wheat, oats and other various crops. He rode his faithful pony MaryLegs to school as a small child. Bill graduated from HemingfordHigh School in 1942. After high school, he continued farming/ranching and did some part-time construction work.
On October 13, 1944 he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served in World War II in Japan. He was assigned with Service Company 35th infantry regiment 25th Division as a rifleman and truck driver. He fought in the battle of Luzon and was honorably discharged on November 23, 1946. Bill received the Army of Occupation Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was also the recipient of the Philippine Liberation ribbon with one Bronze Star.
Upon returning home, he met and married a wonderful woman, Doris M. Gregg on Nov 22, 1951 at St Bridget’s Catholic Church in HemingfordNE. To this union, four children were born -- James, Howard, Julie and Billie Jean.
Bill was a member of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, Hemingford Legion Post #9, Farmers COOP and the Hemingford Cooperative Telephone Company. He was active in his family’s lives in everything, especially 4-H and FFA. He served as the Hog Superintendent for a number of years and faithfully attended the Box Butte County Fair. He also served as a Grand Marshall.
Bill is survived by children James (Vicky) Elder of Marsland and Julie (Mike) Kresl and Billie Jean Elder, all of Hemingford; daughter-in-law Barb (Max) Franey of Chadron; grandchildren James (Tammy) Elder Jr. of Hemingford, Valery (Chad) Bell of Alliance, Andrew (Samantha) Kresl of Hemingford, Sean (Shari) Franey of Beaverton OR, Blythe Franey of Chadron and Nathan (Angela) Franey of Tucson, AZ. He also leaves behind great-grandchildren Cassie, Hadley, Gavin, Gattlen, Gracey, and Joeie, sister-in-law Alice (Richard) Elder of Alliance, and a host of cousins and friends.
Bill was preceded in death by wife Doris on February 15, 2009; his parents; brother Richard; son Howard; aunts Mamie Hollinrake, Lyda Kuhn, Rose Combs Rudisill, and Josephine Tschacher; and uncles Lennis Rudisill (Elder), Clyde Elder, and Frank, Edward, John, Leo, William, and Donald Gasseling.
Bates-Gould Funeral Home in Hemingford is in charge of arrangements for William “Bill” H. Elder Jr.
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