William Kent Jr.

William Kent Jr.

Sept. 13, 1937 - July 9, 2018

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — William Kent Jr. passed away on July 9, 2018, at Cambridge Memorial Hospital.

He was born on Sept. 13, 1937, to Marian (Breinig) and William Kent Sr.

He attended country school north of Holbrook through the eighth grade, and graduated from Holbrook High School in 1955. He served honorably in the U.S. Army in the Security Services division until he was discharged due to a family death in 1958. He returned to Kearney to be near his dad, where he farmed, and worked for the Ready Mix company. They later moved north of Elm Creek. While there, he worked for DeHy Alfalfa plant. Here he met and married Ellen Anderson and in 1965 they returned to Holbrook to farm.

They became members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cambridge, and the family was baptized and confirmed there. He was an active member, and when younger he served as a trustee, and later as an elder.

After enjoying the farm life for 35 years, William and Ellen turned the farm over to the next generation. William later became a CNA and worked at the rest home in Cambridge for about two years. Later, he worked as a tender truck driver at Ag Valley in Cambridge. Bill continued working at least part time until he was 79, and he enjoyed interacting with the farmers he served. During this time he spent many happy hours at the family farm, working on projects he enjoyed. Most of his family lived nearby and he enjoyed their frequent visits. He took great joy in them.

Bill is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ellen; sons, James (Barb) Kent of Benkelman and William (Margo) Kent III of Cambridge and daughter, Jody (Bruce) Hyke of Wilsonville. He has eight granddaughters, Natalie, Nicole, MiKayla, Marlana, Jacey, Jalen, Ella, and Claire; a step-grandson, Matt (Lu), step-granddaughter, Mollie, and three step-great-grandsons, Dominic, Ben and Jake.

He was preceeded in death by his mother and father; step-mother, Martha; brother, Stanley Kent; half-brother, Delbert Kent; brother-in-law, George Prince; and sister-in-law, Myrna Joyce Kent.

Services will be 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 12, 2018, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cambridge. Memorials may be sent to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

Lockenour-Jones Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.