Billy Harrison Almstrum

Billy Harrison Almstrum was born July 1, 1927 near Oakdale, Neb. to Bror Hjalmer (Bill Harrison) Almstrum, a Swedish immigrant, and Judith Ruth Marie Nilson Almstrum, the daughter of Swedish immigrants. He died on Monday, Aug. 24, 2015 at Sierra Vista, Ariz. 

As a young man, he helped his parents on their farm, studied hard, and did well in school and sports. After graduating as valedictorian of the Class of 1944 at Oakdale High School, he decided to remain on the farm rather than attending college. In 1951 he responded to the call to serve his country by entering the Army, spending 18 months in Korea during the war. He married Lucille Alice Oman on March 5, 1953, building a life with her on the family farm south of Oakdale, Neb.

In 1960, after a farm sale, Bill moved his family to Sidney. After a variety of jobs ranging from construction to being a guard at the Sioux Army Depot near Sidney, he took the Civil Service exam and began working his way up through the Civil Service grades. When the Sioux Army Depot was deactivated in 1967, he transferred to Fort Huachuca, where he continued his Civil Service career as a budget analyst, retiring in 1988. The family resided in Sierra Vista, Ariz.

Bill was a creative man who was willing tackle any project - car repair, home repair, building beautiful pieces of furniture, creating grandfather clocks from kits. His dry wit and love of punny jokes made for fun times at dinner. He was devoted to his extended family and traveled frequently over the years to visit parents, siblings, children's families, other relatives, and friends, visiting destinations all over the United States and several European countries. He was especially excited to have the opportunity to meet his Aunt Swea in the Old Country (Sweden) and explore the area where his father had been born and where his paternal grandparents had lived. 

Bill was a man of steady faith. For many years, the family attended the United Methodist Church in Huachuca City, Ariz. Bill was especially proud of the two-story addition he and other church members built on that building as an extension to the original church structure.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lucille Alice Oman Almstrum, his parents, and two of his sisters, Lillian and Alma.

He is survived by his three children and their spouses; Vicki Almstrum (Torgny Stadler), Vangi McCoy (Patrick), and Blaine Almstrum (Danielle); eight grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; his sister Lylia Andrews; many cousins, nieces, and nephews; and his dear friend of many decades, Betty Linneas.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Neb. on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Services will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015, at 12 p.m. with Rev. Janie Freeman officiating. Interment will follow in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Neb.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his name to MD Anderson Cancer Centers or to the American Cancer Society. Links are: http://gifts.mdanderson.org/ and http://www.cancer.org/donate.