Wilbur "Bill" Blunt

Celebration of Life Service for Wilbur L. “Bill” Blunt will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at the Butler Volland Chapel in Hastings, Nebraska with Pastor Paul Ferrarone officiating.  Inurnment will be held in the Parkview Cemetery at Hastings, with military rites conducted by the Hastings Military Honor Guard in conjunction with the United States Army Funeral Honors Team.

Wilbur Lynn “Bill” Blunt, 72 years of age, of Republican City, Nebraska, (formerly of Hastings) passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 31, 2020, at his home in Taylor Manor at Republican City.  Bill was born February 28, 1947, at Hastings, the eldest of three children to Norman and Dorothy (Crone) Blunt.  Bill received his education from Hastings Public Schools, graduating from Hastings High School with the class of 1965.

Bill then pursued higher education in Michigan to be an Optical Technician.  Following his education, Bill was inducted into the United States Army, and served his country during the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge in 1970.  Following his service, Bill began working in the family business, Crone Optical and then City Optical in Hastings until his retirement in 2008.

On June 10, 1967, he was united in marriage to Barbara K. Kluver and to this union three daughters were born:  Kaelynn “Katie”, Jennifer, and Billi Jo.  The family made their home in Hastings.  This marriage later ended in divorce.  In August of 2008, Bill began to make his home at Harlan County Lake in Republican City, where he resided until his passing.

Throughout the years, Bill was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, and boating.  He was very talented in Taxidermy, painting and drawing, and wood carving.  He was a member of Knights of Pythias Lodge #28 in Hastings, and enjoyed attending many Pheasants Forever and NWTF banquets throughout the years.  Being a mentor to many in his family, Bill was proud to pass these hobbies and interests on to next generations!

Besides his parents; Bill was preceded in death by his ex-wife and friend, Barb in 2019; brother, Charles “Chuck” Blunt; son-in-law, John Hock, Jr.; nephew, Brandon Curtis; brother-in-law, James “Ace” Kluver; and sister-in-law, Deb Blunt.

He leaves to celebrate his life; his three daughters:  Kaelynn “Katie” Kimminau and her husband, Wayne of Hastings; Jennifer Hock of Republican City; and Billi Jo Redden and her fiancé, Mike Riley of Alma, Nebraska; eleven grandchildren:  Kourtney Verley and husband, Jake; Joshua Blunt and his wife, Chelsie; Kenzie Kimminau and her special friend, Derek Fast; Kelsey Kimminau and her special friend, Jacobi Schliep; Tianna Redden and her special friend, Juan Chavez; Natalie Hock and her special friend, Josh Lentsch; Nathan Hock; Nakayla Hock; Triston Brittain; Natasha Hock; and Nolan Hock; five great-grandchildren:  Lillie, Wyatt, Lucie, Avery, and Liam; sister, LeeAnn Blunt of Hastings; special friend for many years, Patty Mattison of Lincoln, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A memorial book signing will be held on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma.

A memorial has been established in Bill’s honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma, Nebraska and the Butler Volland Funeral Home in Hastings, Nebraska are working together to assist the family with the arrangements.