William Gressett

Memorial Book Signing for William C. "Bill" Gressett will be held on Monday, July 27, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska.

Due to health concerns, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; current CDC and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for Faith-Based Services and Gatherings will be followed.  The Gressett family sincerely encourages each person to make their decision whether to attend William's services, based on the best interest of your health, and that of your community.

A private family inurnment will be held at a later date at the Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell, Nebraska with military honors provided by the North Platte Honor Guard in conjunction with the United States Navy Funeral Honors Team.

William Clarence "Bill" Gressett, 72 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at the Good Samaritan Society – Hastings Village at Hastings, Nebraska.  Bill was born on August 6, 1947, in Kearney, Nebraska, the youngest of two children to William Morris and Opal Jane (Vest) Gressett. He received his primary education from Longfellow Elementary School in Kearney and then attended Kearney High School, graduating with the class of 1965.

On June 12, 1965, he was united in marriage to Terri Ann Wagner at Phillipsburg, Kansas and to this union four children were born: Miki, Michael William, Zachary, and Katrina. Bill and Terri first made their home in Kearney.  He was inducted into the United States Navy on July 30, 1965.  The couple made their home at Great Lakes Naval Base in Great Lakes, Illinois, and Bill served his first tour in Vietnam.  He was then assigned to the Alameda Naval Base in San Francisco, California, and served his second tour in Vietnam, until he was honorably discharged on July 3, 1968.

After his time in the service the family lived in Dallas, Texas, until relocating back to Nebraska, where they resided in Kearney until 1971, at which time they moved to Holdrege. Bill was employed by KN Energy for 24 years. In 1977, the family moved to Bertrand, Nebraska, where he accepted a position as manager.  Bill transferred to Guernsey, Wyoming in 1979, where he accepted a position as manager there. In 1984, they relocated to Lexington, Nebraska until 1985, when they settled back in Holdrege. In later years, Bill was then employed at Coleman Powermate in Kearney until his retirement in 2003.

Bill loved to play chess with his family and was a rated chess player with the United States Chess Federation. He was an avid fisherman and a devoted Husker football fan. Bill loved the game of baseball and in his younger years, he played catcher in the Minor Leagues. Bill was a devoted member of the Volunteer Fire Department in both Guernsey and Bertrand and was past President of the Lions Club in Guernsey for four years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Michael William Gressett in infancy; stepfather, Larry Loren Gates; his sister, Virginia Faye Grothen; and son-in-law, Michael Smith.

Bill leaves to celebrate his life: his wife, Terri Gressett of Holdrege; his children: Miki Gain of Elkins, West Virginia; Zachary Gressett of Pheonix, Arizona; and Katrina Gressett of Tucson, Arizona; two grandchildren:  Liam Gain of West Union, West Virginia; and Taylor Gain of Elkins; along with a host of extended family, and friends.

The family has honored Bill's wish for cremation.

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

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.