Willard Thomas "Chip" Essex 69 years of age from Hastings died on June 20, 2014 at Mary Lanning Healthcare peacefully with family that he loved and was so proud of. Chip lost his battle with pancreatic cancer after 15 long months, however his positive outlook never wavered and his inspiration to all is what led his death to be filled with dignity.
A celebration of life will be held Tuesday, June 24,2014; 10:30 A.M. at First Presbyterian Church, Hastings with Rev. Dr. William G. Nottage-Tacey officiating. Burial with military rites by Hastings Veterans Organizations will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Hastings. Visitation with family will be Monday, June 23, 2014; 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church Foundation or the Central Community College Foundation for a scholarship fund to be established in his name.
Chip was born on April 25, 1945 in Alliance, Nebraska to Glenn and Ida Ferne (Waldron) Essex. He grew up selling the papers, the Alliance Times Herald, and was always a finance man from a very young age. At age eight he started selling and loaning money to his brothers, and charging interest. Chip graduated from Alliance Senior High in 1963 and worked for a year. He went to Rapid City, South Dakota to start college andmet a South Dakota girl, Vonda. Fell in love and married June 1966 and they just celebrated 48 wonderful years together. He entered the US Army and served fromAugust 1966 to August 1969. He finished college with a Bachelors of Science degree from Kearney State College and went into banking. He started his career working in a small bank in Colorado Springs until 1973, then moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to work for the trust department which is now Wells Fargo. He moved to Hastings, Nebraska in 1978 and worked for Wells Fargo for 30 years - starting the trust department in Hastings on March 1, 1978 until his retirement in 2003. He came out of retirement to work for the CCC Foundation as their Planned Giving Coordinator for four years. He was an active member in several communities through community and civic organizations. Served on the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation; Hastings Big Brothers; Hastings United Way Chairman of professional division; Hastings YMCA Board of Directors; Kearney State College Foundation; Hastings Rotary Club Board of Directors; Hastings Museum Foundation; CCC Foundation; Hastings Library Foundation Board of Directors; Mary Lanning Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors; Hastings Area Community Foundation Board of Directors & Investment Committee Chairman; Warren & Velda Wilson Foundation Board of Directors; Lochland Country Club Board of Directors: Treasurer, Golf & Greens Committee and Interclub Captain; and the First Presbyterian Church Foundation. He was an active member in his church and his hobbies included trains, train layouts, and golf - which he loved to play with many friends and especially his two sons. His positive attitude was infectious and admired by anyone who meet him and especially for all of his dear friends!
Chip was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; brother-in-law; and father-in-law.
Survivors include:
Wife:
Vonda (Plucker) Essex - Hastings, NE
Children & Spouse:
Chad Essex (Melissa) - Grand Island, NE
Troy Essex & Significant other (Chandra Daffer) - Hastings, NE
Grandchildren:
Cole and Kelsey Essex (Chad) - Grand Island, NE
Kaela and Tyson Essex (Troy) - Hastings, NE
Brothers & Spouse:
Jim and Karel Essex - Alliance, NE
Jack Essex - Indio, CA
Mother-in-law:
Deloris Plucker
Brother-in-law & Spouse:
Jeff and Cheryl Plucker
Many nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends
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