William Woods

Hastings resident, William "Bill" Ross Woods, 76, passed away Monday, September 4, 2017, at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings, Nebraska.

Memorial Services will be Friday, September 8, 2017; 11:00 A.M. at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Hastings with Rev. Steven Peeler officiating. Private family burial will be held at a later date. Memorials may be given to Boy Scouts of America/Overland Trails Council or Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. Visitation will be Thursday, September 7, 2017; 1:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. with the family present 5:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home, and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Bill was born on February 28, 1941, to Charles and Leona (Erwin) Woods in Rock County, Nebraska, near Riverview. As a young child, his family moved to Trumbull, Nebraska. He attended school in Trumbull and graduated from Trumbull High School in 1958. He was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in 1964.

After graduation, Bill entered the US Army and was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He spent 10 years in the Nebraska Army National Guard, during which time he graduated from Officer Candidate School, and was honorably discharged from the Army Reserves as a First Lt.

In March of 1959, Bill began working at Midwest Molding Company in Hastings while attending Hastings College. He also worked for Sherman Service Center and Kerrco, both in Hastings. In 1961, he began working for a new business, Bruckman Rubber Co. where he served as president and general manager from 1989 until 2001. He continued to serve on the board until his death.

On September 20, 1964, Bill "made the best decision of his life" when he married Louan Goos in Rosemont, Nebraska, they were blessed with 53 years of marriage. Bill and Louan have three sons of whom Bill couldn't have been prouder. Family meant everything to Bill as evidenced by the time he spent with them and the way his face would light up when he would talk about them. He established "The Soggy Cinnamon Roll Club" with his grandchildren and other honored family members, he served as the self-appointed president.

Bill volunteered with Boys Scouts for many years and served in many leadership roles even after his three sons earned their Eagle Scout. He was awarded the Silver Beaver award to honor distinguished service in 1999. He continued to serve on the Overland Trails Council Board until his death.

Bill volunteered with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission as a Hunter Education Instructor for 43 years and served as a Master Instructor for twenty years. Seldom did he smile more than when one of his former students would approach him with pictures or stories of hunting.

Bill volunteered in the community by serving on the Board of Public Works for 15 years, five of which he served as chairman, The Hastings Museum Board, HastingsEconomic Development Corporation and The Hastings Area Manufacturing Association.

Bill was a long-time member of Four River's Sportsman Club, serving in many leadership roles, awarded sportsman of the year three times and was granted a lifetime membership for his work with the Hunter Education Program.

Bill was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd where throughout the years he volunteered as a Sunday school teacher and served on the church council.

Bill's favorite season of the year was deer season, he also enjoyed fishing and going on sunset rides in his boat.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Margaret Shriver and Ruby Allbritton; brothers-in-law, Jack Sexton, Larry Shriver, Bob Allbritton and Alfred Hemberger; brother, Charles Woods; sister-in-law, Laura Woods; great-great nephew, Sean Sexton; and cousins, Herman & Crystal Brockman, Elaine Abbott, Marion Woods, Vernon Woods, and Donald Woods.

SURVIVORS:
Wife:
Louan Woods - Hastings, NE
Sons & Spouses:
Wes & Melanie Woods - Houston, TX
Robert & Sherri Woods - Hastings, NE
Dave & Erin Woods - Grand Island, NE
Brian & Tammy Woods - ( Honorary ) Bay St. Louis, MS
Grandchildren:
Charlie Woods
Genny Woods
Lily Woods
Cameron Woods
Brandon Woods
Spencer Woods
Adeline Woods
William Woods
Amanda Brogle - ( Honorary ) Diamondhead, MS
Ashley & Joey Filibeck - ( Honorary ) Lakenheath, England
Sister-in-law:
Arbie Hemberger - Hastings, NE
Nephews & Nieces:
Larry & Rosanne Sexton - Omaha, NE
Judy Sexton - Omaha, NE
Ross Shriver - Beatrice, NE
Sherrie & Glenn Vogel - Lake Dallas, TX
Mark & Michelle Allbritton - Baltimore, MD
Bruce Woods - Bay St. Louis, MS
Cindy Hemberger - Hastings, NE