William "Bill" J. Meyer

William J. Meyer left his earthly home on Wednesday June 1, 2022 at 85 years of age, to join family and friends in heaven. William was born on September 13, 1936 to William and Katharina (Rickers) Meyer at Odell, Nebraska. He attended country school in rural Gage county and high school at Odell Public Schools, graduating in 1954.

He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), Odell where he received the rites of baptism and confirmation.

After high school he enlisted in the United States Army from April 16, 1957 to April 15, 1959. His basic training was done at Fort Chafee at Fort Smith Arkansas. He was then stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. He was a clerk typist in the Adjutant General’s office while enlisted. Prior to entering the army, he met Lola Mae Holle at a Walther League event shared by local churches in the area. He and his childhood friend, Robert Henrichs, would become brothers-in-law after discovering the beautiful Holle girls at a chance meeting. William and Lola Mae were married on December 13, 1959 in Bremen, Kansas.

Upon returning back to Nebraska, he worked for Krotz Stock Farms in Odell. While residing in Odell he was Councilman and Mayor in their small village. He was a lifetime member of the Odell American Legion post 231. In 1967, he and his family moved to Crete to take a position with the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier. He retired in 1991 after 23 years of service. His favorite saying before leaving for work on any given day was “keys, rubber stamps, and money orders”, some of the things he needed when filling in at the post office window to assist customers. Bill, as most people knew him, was kind, caring, generous and thoughtful, and was also known to be quite ornery in his lifetime. His children remember him as stern while growing up, but always as one of their biggest cheerleaders. He enjoyed faithfully attending his children and grandchildren’s events. Those memories are forever left to cherish and appreciate. He also enjoyed part-time jobs at Ahlschwede Ford, the Journal Star Agency in Crete where paper carriers came to their home to retrieve and deliver the daily paper to customers in the Crete area and lastly, Crete Foodmart. In his spare time he enjoyed the Nebraska Cornhusker and Kansas City Royals games. He was an avid pheasant hunter and fisherman, also. He shared his love of these with many.

Those who are celebrating his life are Lola Mae (Holle), his wife of 62 years, Daughter Patricia (John) Stehlik, Son Brian (Penny) Meyer, and Daughter Sheila (Gary) Neeman. Grandchildren Sarah, Michael and Kayla Stehlik; Patrick (Brienna), Brett and Brooke Meyer, and great- grandson Ronnie Meyer; and Tara Neeman. Great grandchildren Bryley Holmes, Keaton and Preslynn Trass, great-great granddaughter Mila Valentine.Sister-in-law Darlene Henrichs. In addition to many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceded in death are his parents, William and Katharina (Katie) Meyer and infant brother. Parents in law- Carl and Marie (Mamie Schotte) Holle, Wilma Holle, Clifford and Norma (Holle) Urban, Ludwig and Verda (Holle) Pralle, and Robert Henrichs.

Pallbearers are Dale, Galen and Mark Pralle, Lynn Henrichs, Bryce Urban and Boyd Navratil. Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren. Sarah, Michael and Kayla Stehlik; Patrick, Brienna, Brett and Brooke Meyer and Tara Neeman.

We would like to thank CHI Health St Elizabeth, the Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation-Tabitha Lincoln and Crete, Bryan Health-East, and in his final days Tabitha Hospice-Crete Nebraska. Thank you to all the healthcare workers who selflessly gave themselves to help our loved one on his journey home. You are true heroes and will forever be remembered and cherished for the love and support shown to our family.

The family will greet family and friends at Lincoln Memorial Park Monday, June 7 from 5-8 p.m. Services will be Tuesday, June 7 at 10:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Crete Nebraska. Viewing will be available one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. lincolnfh.com Memorials can be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or Crete Rescue.