William M. Nelson

William M. Nelson (Bill), 92 of Lincoln, formerly of Kearney, died September 24, 2014, at Clark Jeary Retirement Community in Lincoln. Celebration of Life services will be Monday, September 29, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, NE. Rev. Dr. Andrew McDonald will officiate and burial of ashes will be at the Kearney Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the William M. (Bill) Nelson Endowed Scholarship at the University of Nebraska, Kearney, payable through the University of Nebraska Foundation. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney are in charge of arrangements. Bill was born in Hastings, Nebraska, June 30, 1922 to William and Isabelle (McElhinney) Nelson. He grew up in Hastings graduating from Hastings High School. He attended Hastings College before enlisting in the Navy serving aboard U.S.S. Roi 1944-1946 as Lt. j.g. He finished his Bachelor’s Degree at Hastings College then receiving an MA from Kearney State College and further hours from the University of Nebraska. Bill was united in marriage to Audrey Hueftle on April 13, 1944 at the Union Theological Seminary Chapel in New York City. This union was blessed with four children, daughter, Cynthe Anne (Staehr), and three sons, William Michael, John Scott, and Randy Alan. Bill became the music instructor at Ord High School from 1946-1952 moving to Kearney in 1952 to take a similar position at Kearney High School until 1959. He became the District Manager for Hamilton Management and a representative for University Publishing Co. before taking the position at Kearney State Teacher’s College (UNK) in 1963 as an Associate Professor. From 1963 until 1996, Bill supervised student teachers. Just a few of Bill’s accomplishments and awards: Elder of Presbyterian Church; Secretary-Treasurer of Nebraska Music Educators; Board of Education Kearney Public Schools; Faculty Senate Chair at Kearney State College; Distinguished Service Award at Kearney State College; School System Evaluator of Educational Programs; Nebraska Schoolmasters Club; Kearney VFW #759; Chairman of Buffalo County Red Cross; Head of United Way; Kearney Area Symphony Board; Board Member Salvation Army; Choir Director First Presbyterian Church, Kearney, Nebraska (30 years); President of Kearney Community Concert ; Mid Plains Brass Quintet; Contest Judge District Music Contest; Director of Kearney City Band (8 years); Kearney Area Symphonic Orchestra; Lay Minister Central Nebraska Presbyterian Churches; Board Member of United Ministries for Higher Education; Recipient of Sertoma Award; Kearney Hub Freedom Award; Nebraska Public Radio Award; UNK Distinguished Service Award. Survivors include daughter; Cynthe (Keith Staehr) of Kimball, William (Coni) of Lincoln, Scott (Teri)of Lincoln, Randy (Jeanne) of Seward, Grandchildren; Jon Staehr of Greeley, CO, Joel (Stephanie) Staehr of Gretna, NE, Jay (Kim) of Aurora, NE , Kyle Nelson (Julie) of Papillion NE, Krisa Smith (Jeff) of Bennington, Jason von-Hoff (Lisa) of Lincoln, Nici Ahrenholz (Todd) of Willmar, MN, Kylie Wolford (Glen) of Kearney, Tory Kerns (Will) of Lincoln, TyRee Royal of Lincoln, Britney Woods(Darnell) of Lincoln, Mogdi Nelson of Seward and 21 great grand children soon to be 23. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife; Audrey, sisters; Jeanette and Willa, brother; John. PDF Printable Version

Tributes

William M. Nelson

September 29, 2014