William B. 'Bill' McIlravy

April 28, 1923--Nov. 27, 2010

ORD, Nebraska -- William B. "Bill" McIlravy, 87, died Tuesday (Nov. 23, 2010), at his home in Ord.

William Brown McIlravy was born April 28, 1923, in Santa Monica, California to Thomas William and Edith Elinor (Brown) McIlravy. At the age of eight, Bill moved to Loup City, Nebraska where he lived with his grandparents, the W.O. Brown family on a farm south of Loup City. He lived there until 1942, during the years of the depression. Bill attended grade school at Hawk Rural School, south of Loup City and graduated from Loup City High School in 1941.

Bill joined the U.S. Army and served as a member of the Military Police. After his service in the Army he began working for the Bureau of Reclamation.

On Dec. 26, 1953, William was united in marriage to Emma Joan "Joanie" Robarchek at St. Patrick's Church in McCook, Nebraska; to this union seven children were born.

Bill was employed with the Bureau of Reclamation for 40 years, working and living in McCook, Culbertson, Nebraska Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota. For the past 32 years, the couple has made their home in Ord. Bill retired on March 1, 1985.

He was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and the V.F.W. Bill enjoyed tinkering in his garage, and caring for the yard. He especially enjoyed visiting with his neighbors and friend, Bill Long. He loved his grandchildren and was very proud of them.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Richard McIlravy.

Survivors include his wife, Joanie of Ord; three sons, Will and wife, Dawn of San Diego, California, Tim and wife, Dawn of York, Nebraska and Kevin of Ord; four daughters, Carolyn McIlravy of York, Carrie and husband, Lee Osberg of Pierre, South Dakota, Mary and husband, Bill Thomas of York, and Susan and husband, Roger Hall of Exeter, Nebraska; 11 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two expected great-grandchildren; and five step-great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial is Saturday, 10:30 a.m., at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Ord with Father Tom Ryan officiating. Interment is at Evergreen Cemetery in Loup City. Military Honors will be presented by the Ord VFW Post No. 7029 and American Legion Post No. 38.

Visitation is Friday, 6-8 p.m., with rosary at 7 p.m. at the Ord Memorial Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Valley County Hospice, St. Mary's Catholic School, or Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.

Ord Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.