Willard “Bill” W. Way
Veteran
Date of Birth
January 6, 1938
Richland, Nebraska
Entered into Rest
March 22, 2024
Fremont, Nebraska
Graveside Service

Family and friends graveside service will take place at Circle Mound Cemetery ~ Rising City, Nebraska
Interment with Military Honors at Circle Mound Cemetery ~ Rising City, Nebraska

Memorials

In care of the family for future designations.

Willard “Bill” Wayne Way, 86 of Mead, NE passed away Friday, March 22, 2024 at Fremont Methodist Health in Fremont, NE.  He was born January 6, 1938 in Richland, NE to Clarence and Lucille (Harris) Way.

As a child he lived in several towns in Nebraska.  He lived with his parents in Rising City, NE until he joined the U.S. Army.  He served from 1955 to 1959 and was stationed in the United States, France, and Germany.  After his military service he returned to Rising City and worked for Behlen Manufacturing in Columbus, NE.

In 1960 he moved to Cheyenne, WY where he worked for Greyhound as a mechanic.  He married Judy Bernt in Cheyenne, from this union, three children were born, Stephen, Sheila, and Stuart.  In 1974 he transferred to Omaha where he finished 32 years with Greyhound.  He then went to work at Werner Enterprises for 16 years as a trailer shop foreman before retiring.

Bill and his family settled in Mead, NE and was an honorary member of the Mead Fire Department.  For many years he helped an area farmer and he also transported vehicles for his friend, Robie at Raider Nation.  Bill was a kindhearted person and was always willing to help anyone.

Bill enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his two great-grandsons, Carson and Lane.  He loved fishing with his children on their boat.  His hobbies included watching Westerns, word search puzzles, playing solitary daily, tinkering in the garage, going to garage sales, and driving his Farmall tractor during the Mead Days parades.

Bill is survived by his wife of 62 years, Judy Way; daughter, Sheila Way; sons, Stephen Way, Stuart (Tammy) Way; sister, Sue Meyers; brother, Lee Way; grandchildren, Anthony (Martha) Push, Christine (Gary) Hollst, Christopher and Andrew Way; great-grandsons, Carson and Lane Hollst; step-grandchildren, Rhonda, Melisa, and Faith; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Lucille Way; sister, Darlene Jens; brothers, Ray and Clarence Lynn Way; parents-in-law, Walter and Ina Bernt; sister-in-law, Janet (Hollis) Lillie; nephew, Douglas Girardin.

Bill’s family wants to thank the Doctors and staff at Fremont Methodist Health hospital for the many days of care.

Condolences for Willard “Bill” W. Way
  1. Mead Fire Department
    • March 22, 2024 - 1 month ago

    Our condolences to the Way family. We thank Bill for his countless hours of service he put in on the Mead Fire Department.

  2. Kent and Linda Sweet
    • March 23, 2024 - 1 month ago

    So sorry to hear of Bills passing. Enjoyed visiting with him at the post office and RK’s Country store.We would talk mostly about fishing and many other subjects.
    He usually had a joke or two also. I will miss those times and remember always.
    God bless his Family and may he rest in peace.

  3. Cassidy LaCroix
    • March 24, 2024 - 1 month ago

    Praying for the Way family. Thank you for being the best neighbor and loving our dogs just as much as we did. Thank you for helping my dad throughout the years at the shop. You will be missed!

  4. Steve Ourada & Family
    • March 24, 2024 - 1 month ago

    Sorry for your loss. You have our condolences, may he rest in peace.

  5. Laurie Van Ackeren (library)
    • March 25, 2024 - 1 month ago

    So very sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I will sure miss my friend Bill the fisherman.

  6. Vineta Knudsen
    • March 28, 2024 - 1 month ago

    So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. My thoughts and prayers to his family.I really enjoyed him as a neighbor.

  7. Brenda Halbmaier
    • March 31, 2024 - 4 weeks ago

    We are so sorry to hear about Bill’s passing. I myself did not know him personally but I always heard praises from my mother-in-law, Kay Halbmaier. He was always so kind to clear her driveway whenever it snowed- he and Judy were very close friends of hers. Our hearts go out to you during this difficult time.

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