William "Bill" D. Wilkins, Jr.

A Memorial Graveside Service and Inurnment for William D. "Bill" Wilkins, Jr. will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Rev. Dr. Mark Crist officiating.  Following the service, a luncheon and gathering will be held at First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, at approximately 11:00 a.m.

William, "Bill", or "Mr. Bill", 70 years of age, of Holdrege, died on Thursday, February 17, 2022, at the Emerald Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Omaha, Nebraska.  Bill was born on November 9, 1951, in Lexington, Nebraska, the eldest of three children, born to William "Billy", Sr. and Betty (Knoedler) Wilkins.  He received his primary education from Holdrege High School.  During these teenage years, Bill found enjoyment being on the wrestling team and playing football.

In 1970, he was united in marriage to Peggy Anderson, this union was blessed with three remarkable children:  Veronica, Eric, and Annette.  The family made their home in Bertrand, Nebraska, where Bill worked side by side with his newly extended family, at Anderson Repair.

If you knew Bill, you knew he had a tremendous amount of energy for certain activities.  The first was his mechanical skills and his love of cars.  His children knew what it meant to go on a "short drive" or to see a "new" car lot.  If he knew of a car show, he would move heaven and earth to attend.  He would study what had been done to each vehicle and strike up a conversation with the owner, if given the chance.  Bill also loved to attend car races; Lexington and Doniphan were frequently traveled to for special events or just a normal Saturday night run.

His second strength was being part of a volunteer fire department.  Over a 24 year period of time at the Bertrand Volunteer Fire Department, from 1971 to 1994, Bill filled the roles as:  an EMT for 20 years; an Assistant or Unit Captain for five years; and an Assistant or Fire Chief for eight years.  He understood what it meant for the person to call for help.  When the emergency phone would ring or the town siren would blare, Bill made it a priority to put himself on the front line and help, however he could.  He had a strong compassion for the community and the people he served.  Knowing Bill, you also knew, the concern didn't stop when that call's work was done.

The last, but certainly not least, was Bill's capability of conversation.  If he started a sentence with, "I have a joke for you", you knew there was a high probability for a good chuckle.  He could talk for hours about how one person is connected to another, no matter what the situation.  Bill also enjoyed being Santa Claus for the Bertrand holiday celebrations for many years, to share in the joy of the season.  In Bill's later years, Karaoke became his interest.  It allowed for him to travel to new locations, be with his friends, make new friends, and sing the songs which had meaning to him.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his two brothers:  Jimmie Wilkins; and Mark Wilkins; his paternal and maternal grandparents; and several other close family members.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his three children:  Veronica Wilkins, Eric Wilkins and his wife Kathy, and Annette Wilkins-Anderson, all of Holdrege; six grandchildren:  Kristen Wilkins of Cozad, Nebraska; and Jaxson Wilkins, McKenna Wilkins, Erika Wilkins, Ethan Anderson, and Nickalas Anderson, all of Holdrege; three great-grandchildren:  Adalynn Wilkins, Hazeley Rutledge, and Bennett Samuelson, all of Holdrege; one niece, Carrie Smith of Holdrege; along with a host of other relatives and friends.

The family would like to personally say, "Thank You", to every person who has helped Bill throughout his later years in life.  Without the kindness of his close friend Donna, for every Nurse who took time and patience to provide for him, or the skills of each doctor he ever encountered, Bill's life would have been written much differently.  Bless each one of you for all your passion in human kindness.

There will be no viewing, visitation, or memorial book signing at the funeral home.  Bill's expressed wish for cremation has been honored.

A memorial has been established in Bill's honor, and kindly suggested to the family.

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 arrangements.