Billy Dean Williamson

Billy Dean Williamson

Aug. 21, 1929 - Oct. 18, 2013

ARAPAHOE, Nebraska -- Billy Dean Williamson,84, of Arapahoe, died Friday (Oct. 18, 2013), at the C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Center in Arapahoe.

He was born Aug. 21, 1929, in Stratton, Nebraska, to William and Georgia (Thomas) Williamson. He graduated from Beaver City High School in 1947. After graduation, he moved to Wauneta, Nebraska, and worked at Johnston Funeral Home and Hardware Store. He joined the Air Force in 1948 and was stationed in Denver, Colorado.

He married Sandra Harchelroad in 1950 in Golden, Colorado. He and his wife remained in Denver, until he went overseas to serve in Japan for a year. He was honorably discharged in 1952. After college, he moved to San Francisco, California, where he enrolled in the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. He graduated in May 1955, and returned to Nebraska. In 1956, Bill and Sandra moved to Arapahoe to help his brother as the funeral director for Andrew's Funeral Home. He purchased the funeral home and renamed it Williamson-Haase Funeral Home in 1956. He also 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. He retired in 1998.

He was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 293, Lion's Club, Chamber of Commerce, the First United Methodist Church, all of Arapahoe, Nebraska, and the Nebraska Funeral Director's Association.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Earl Haase and Gail Haase and sisters, Wilda Williamson, and Irene League.

Survivors include his wife Sandra Williamson of Arapahoe; children, Darcy and friend, Linda Stevens, of Topeka Kansas, Brent and wife, Karen, of Hastings, Nebraska and Kurt and wife, Carmen, of Arapahoe; sisters, Ireva Bogart and husband, Don of Longmont, Colorado, Wilma Egle and husband, Dwight of Wauneta, Nebraska and Bonnie Yost of Wauneta; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services are Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Arapahoe with the Rev. Becky Saddler officiating. Interment will be at the Arapahoe Cemetery.

Viewing and visitation is today until 8 p.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, from 10 a.m.to 8 p.m. at Wenburg Funeral Home in Arapahoe and prior to the service at the church.

Memorials may be given to the donor's preference.

Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com

Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska, is in charge of the arrangements.