Lloyd Brethouwer Jr

Lloyd (Bill) Ray Brethouwer Jr., 77, of Cheyenne, Wyoming passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. He was born November 16, 1948, to Lloyd (Buss) and Edna (Harms) Brethouwer in Lincoln, NE. In 1967, Bill graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School. After high school, Bill joined the U.S. Army. He served his country in Vietnam for eighteen months. After returning from Vietnam, Bill worked for the National Guard as an electronic technician. He married Joan (Borchers) on April 6, 1974. They had four children; Heather, Landon, Nick and Valoree. Bill was dedicated to his family and supported the kids in all of their activities. He was a devoted and patient grandpa to Zein, Zaiden, Beau, Raylee and Ella.

He received his Bachelor of Science in Business in 1981 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Bill retired from the Nebraska National Guard as a Master Sargent, after 26 years of military service. He then worked for Burlington Northern Railroad, as a signal maintainer for 14 years.

Bill spent his retirement volunteering with the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, traveling, wood working, doing crossword puzzles and putting puzzles together. He found happiness in growing a large variety of trees on their acreage east of Crete. Living on the acreage, came with a variety of hobbies such as tending to the apple orchard, making homemade apple juice, beekeeping and making wine. In 2013, Bill won the NE Winery and Grape Growers association Best of Show award for the mead wine he made. He was very personable and could strike up a conversation with family, friends and strangers.

Bill is survived by his wife, Joan, Cheyenne, WY. Their four children, Heather Brethouwer, Elmwood, NE; Lt. Col. Landon (Tamara) Brethouwer U.S. Army (Ret.), McAllen, TX; Nick Brethouwer, Aurora, Colorado; Valoree (Stephen) Nicholson, Lincoln, NE. Grandchildren Zein and Zaiden Brethouwer, McAllen, TX; Beau Brethouwer, Aurora, Colorado; Raylee and Ella Nicholson, Lincoln, NE.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Edna Brethouwer; sister Beverly Sayer. In-laws, Landis and Ruth Borchers. Brother-in-laws Marvin Molzer, Orin Borchers, and Darrell Sayer Sr.

Memorial service will be held at Southwood Lutheran Church; Lincoln, NE on Friday, March 20th at 10:30 in the morning. Private interment at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. Memorials in honor of Bill will be donated to non-profits supporting veterans.