William Durven "W.D." Kipple

William Durven "W.D." Kipple

William Durven "W.D." Kipple

William Duvan "W.D." Kipple, age 85 of O'Neill, passed away Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at the Golden Living Center in O'Neill.

Memorial services were held at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2011, at Christ Lutheran Church in O'Neill. Rev. John Ryding officiated. Music was provided by Laura Hacker, organist.

Inurnment was held in the O'Neill Cemetery. Military graveside rites were conducted by the O'Neill American Legion Simonson Post #93.

Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill was in charge of the arrangements.

William Durven Kipple was born April 13, 1926, on a farm near Columbus, where he resided until he was 14 years of age. Then, with his family he moved to Holt County where he lived most of his life, with a few brief exceptions. He received his elementary education in Platte County Rural District #9. He then attended high school at O'Neill Public, graduating with the class of 1944.

After high school he was sent to the Pacific Theatre of World War II and was assigned to the 27th Infantry Division on Okinawa, and later served in the Army Occupation of Japan. Upon his discharge from the military he returned to Holt County until 1948 when he began work for the Union Pacific Railroad doing snow removal during the blizzard of 1948-49.

On March 19, 1949, he began a career with the United States Postal Service in O'Neill of over 32 years. His first position was working inside the post office with the last 10 years being the Rural Route 1 carrier. He also was a real estate developer, with several business and residential additions located in the southeast and northwest areas of O'Neill.

On December 19, 1948, he married Betty Lou Prange of Atkinson in the St. John's Lutheran Church. To this union three children were born.

He was a lifetime active member of the American Legion where he served as the following; O'Neill Post 93 Commander in 1986, (establishing a new all time high in membership), District 2 Commander and the Area B Vice Commander. In addition to these positions he was a member of the Honor Guard, as a flag bearer for many military funerals. He had special interest and knowledge in 1928 thru 1930 Model A Fords and enjoyed restoring a 1930 Model A.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; two sons, David Kipple of Arlington and Ken Kipple of O'Neill; one daughter, Cherie Kipple of West Orange, NJ; and one sister, Polly Steinman of Park Ridge, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William J. and Lela Bessie Kipple; and one brother, Max Kipple.