Billy Dean Williamson

Arapahoe, Nebraska Billy Dean Williamson, age 84, of Arapahoe, Nebraska passed away Friday, October 18, 2013 at the C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Center in Arapahoe, Nebraska. Bill was born August 21, 1929, in Stratton, Nebraska to William and Georgia (Thomas) Williamson. He attended school in Stratton and graduated from Beaver City High School, Beaver City, Nebraska in 1947. After graduation, Bill moved to Wauneta, Nebraska and was employed by Johnston Funeral Home and Hardware Store. Bill joined the Air Force in 1948 and was stationed in Denver, Colorado. Bill married Sandra Harchelroad in 1950 in Golden, Colorado. Bill and Sandra remained in Denver, until he went overseas to serve in Japan for a year. He was honorably discharged in 1952. Bill enrolled in Kearney State College to prepare for his later career. While in college, Bill played basketball for the Kearney State Lopers. Following two years of college, he moved to San Francisco, California where he enrolled in the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. He graduated in May, 1955, whereupon he returned to Nebraska. Bill and Sandra resided in Sidney, Nebraska while he served his apprenticeship. In 1956, Bill and Sandra moved to Arapahoe to help Bill's brother, Earl Haase, as the funeral director for Andrew's Funeral Home. After passing his boards to get his Funeral Director's License, Bill and his wife purchased the funeral home and renamed it Williamson-Haase Funeral Home in 1956. Bill and Sandra were blessed to have three children, Darcy Dee, Brent Allen, and Kurt Dean. Besides being the funeral director, Bill worked for William's Brothers in the men's department and later for Bellamy Brother's Implement and Arapahoe Building Center as the bookkeeper for both. Bill retired from the funeral home business in 1998. Bill was an avid reader, especially westerns, and loved to play golf. Bill was a member of Masonic Lodge #293, Lion's Club, Chamber of Commerce, the First United Methodist Church, all of Arapahoe, Nebraska, and the Nebraska Funeral Director's Association. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Earl Haase and Gail Haase; sisters, Wilda Williamson, and Irene League. He is survived by his wife Sandra Williamson of Arapahoe, Nebraska Daughter: Darcy and friend Linda Stevens, of Topeka Kansas Sons: Brent and wife Karen, of Hastings, Nebraska Kurt and wife Carmen, of Arapahoe, Nebraska Sisters: Ireva Bogart & husband Don of Longmont, Colorado Wilma Egle & husband Dwight of Wauneta, Nebraska Bonnie Yost of Wauneta, Nebraska 8 grandchildren: Tracy (Toby) Nelson of Grand Island, Kyle of Hastings, Chad (Stephanie) of Hastings, Kortney Hoover of Wayne, Nebraska, Konner Hinrichs of Hastings, Grant (Amanda) of Arapahoe, Scott of Arapahoe, and Christen of Arapahoe. 4 great-grandchildren: Claire and Kipton of Hastings, and Kymber and Romalie of Arapahoe. Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com Viewing and visitation will be Monday, October 21, 2013 from 1 PM till 8 PM and Tuesday, October 22, 2013 from 10 AM till 8 PM at Wenburg Funeral Home in Arapahoe, Nebraska and prior to the service at the church. Funeral services will be Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 2 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Arapahoe, Nebraska with Pastor Becky Saddler, officiating. Interment will be at the Arapahoe Cemetery, at Arapahoe, Nebraska. Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.