William "Bill" R. Schreier

William "Bill" R. Schreier, age 84, of Verdigre, passed away Friday, March 29, 2013, at the Alpine Village in Verdigre.

Visitation was held from 6-9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. wake service, on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at the Brockhaus Funeral Home in Verdigre.

A Mass of Christian burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 4, 2013, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Verdigre with Reverend Doug Scheinost officiating.

Burial was in the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery in Verdigre with military honors conducted by the American Legion Post #259 of Verdigre.

Brockhaus Funeral Home in Verdigre was in charge of arrangements.

William Ray Schreier, son of Clifford and Laura (Zeller) Schreier, was born Nov. 1, 1928, in Verdigre. He attended Verdigre High School and lived his entire life in Verdigre.

After graduation Bill went to work as a school bus driver for the Verdigre school system. He shared many entertaining stories about his experiences with the young kids riding the bus. Following that he bought his own gravel truck servicing the Verdigre area until he was called into the military. 

He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Japan during the Korean conflict. After being discharged he returned to Verdigre.He married Ann Wagner on Sept. 7, 1950, at St. Ludgers Catholic Church in Creighton. They had three children, Joel, Mary and Lois. 

Bill started his own business, the Verdigre Oil Company. He delivered fuel oil to residents and farmers in the area for nearly 40 years and then sold his business. 

He was one of the instrumental members of the Alpine Village board of directors. He served as secretary for 16 years and president for four years until he stepped down in 1992. It was a city-wide endeavor that was very important to him.

Many people will remember Bill as an antique car enthusiast. He took great pride in fixing up and showing his 1925 Model T and 1931 Model A Ford cars. Happy memories included driving the cars in the annual Verdigre Kolach Days parade and giving countless rides to his children and grandchildren. 

He rarely missed a good Czech polka dance at the local ZCBJ Lodge and was not bashful about giving the local ladies a whirl around the dance floor. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, playing cards and socializing with friends and family.

Bill is survived by his children: Joel Schreier (Linda) of Lincoln and their children, Justin and Jeffrey; Mary Palermo (Gerry) of Boynton Beach, FL, and their daughter, Kellie of Miami, FL; Lois Walden (Earle) of Lexington, SC; a brother, Philip Schreier (Lona) of Verdigre; sister-in-law, Mary Schreier of Lincoln; brother-in-law, Herman Wagner (Colleen) of Norfolk; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Ann; parents, Clifford and Laura Schreier; a brother, Clifford "Bub" Schreier; sisters-in-law, Rosie Babel, Mary Lou Wagner and Donna Wagner; brothers-in-law, Ralph Babel, Matt Wagner and Lawrence Wagner.

Memorial donations may be made in Bill's name to the American Legion Post #259 Verdigre, PO Box 64, Verdigre, NE 68783, or the Verdigre Fire and Rescue.