Bill E. Anderson

Memorial Services for Bill E. Anderson will be conducted from the Christian Homes Care Community Chapel at Holdrege, Nebraska on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Dr. W. Kirwin Stewart, Jr. and Chaplain DeWane Dow, officiating. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date at the Ft. McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell, Nebraska with full military honors.


Billy Edward Anderson, 79 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Friday, March 25, 2011 at the Christian Homes Care Community with his family by his side. He was born January 12, 1932 in Greenwood County, near Salyards, Kansas, the youngest of three children of Elmer and Flossie (Knight) Anderson. Bill received his education from Chase, Kansas, where he graduated from Chase High School with the class of 1950.

Following his education, Bill was united in marriage to Reita Jean Wright on June 17, 1951 at Lyons, Kansas and to this union three daughters were born: Tamra Kay, Kathryn Gail, and Kimberly Beth. Bill was inducted into the United States Air Force and served his country during the Korean Conflict from May 6, 1952 until his honorable discharge on May 5, 1956.

The couple made their home in League City, Texas during the period of time that Bill served his country. While in League City, Bill was employed by Amoco Oil as a pipe fitter. The family then relocated to Lyons, Kansas, where Bill began his longtime career with the Pepsi-Cola Company. In 1964, they moved to Hays, Kansas, where he was route supervisor. In 1970, they moved to McCook, Nebraska, where Bill was employed as the Sales Manager of Southwest Nebraska for the Pepsi-Cola Company until his retirement in 1989. After his retirement, Bill was employed by the Lee Janssen Motor Company in McCook. In December of 2000, Bill and Reita relocated to Holdrege, to be closer to family. In December of 2008, Bill began to make his home at the Christian Homes Community – Alzheimer's Unit.


Bill will be remembered for his kind heart and honest way of life. Bill loved the experience of dealing for his next vehicle. He also enjoyed fishing, boating, camping, and traveling throughout Nebraska, learning the history of the State. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Holdrege. He touched the lives of everyone he knew and he will be deeply missed.

Besides his parents, Bill was preceded in death by one daughter, Tammy in 2005; and two sisters: Marjorie Sharpe and her husband, Harold and Joan Pugh and her husband, Bill.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Reita of Holdrege; two daughters: Kathy Bamesberger and her husband, Keith of Columbus, Nebraska and Kim Reiners and her husband, Rick of Holdrege; eight grandchildren: Jason Shafer, Travis Shafer, Megan Schultz and her husband, Travis, Amanda Gardine and her husband, Austin, Andrew Reiners and his wife, Carolyn, Molly Reiners and her fiancé, Jace Kluver, Emily Reiners and Michael Bamesberger; six great-grandchildren: Aloah, Ariyah, Sadie, Tanner, Sophia, and Tenley; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relative, and friends.

Memorial book signing will be held at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in his memory and kindly suggested to the First Presbyterian Church of Holdrege or the Christian Homes Care Community – Alzheimer's Unit.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.