William A Manley

Celebration of Life Services for William A. "Bill" Manley will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Oxford, Nebraska with Pastor Albert Longe and Chaplain Kathy Doiel officiating. Interment will be held at the Oxford Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Oxford American Legion Post #219 in conjunction with the U.S. Navy Military Honors Team.

William Allen "Bill" Manley, 95 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska (formerly of Oxford), passed away on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at Holdrege Memorial Homes. Bill was born February 13, 1924 in Edison, Nebraska, the fourth of five children born to William J. and Florence Mae (Slater) Manley.

He attended rural elementary schools near Edison and graduated from Edison High School with the class of 1942, where he excelled in many sporting events such as boxing, track, basketball and football. He would later become a fan of baseball, playing on a traveling team while serving the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Islands. Softball was soon a passion once he was honorably discharged from the service following WWII.

On June 16, 1946, he was united in marriage to Dorothy "Dot" Blincow at her family home near Oxford. Together, they lovingly raised three daughters.

He was a hard worker and learned how to work the land early in life. Farming would become his full time job as he established himself in the community. His love of all animals drew him to a veterinary clinic class. He was well known in the community for his horsemanship and would be called upon often to help neighbors and friends round up their herds of cattle. He and his horse, Smokey, led many Market Days parades in Edison. That was a proud moment. He was also employed by the Holdrege and Oxford Sale Barns.

Bill was a member of the Oxford United Methodist Church for over 70 years and served on many boards and committees. One of his favorite positions was that of usher so he could visit with those attending church that day. He and his wife, Dot were on the coffee committee for many years at the annual Turkey Supper. He also served as a board member of various county boards. The Furnas County Fair Board was one of his favorites. He enjoyed spending time with 4-H'ers as they brought their livestock to the fair.

Bill was an avid hunter and enjoyed the yearly family deer hunting season as well as fishing whenever he and Dot could get away to the river. Neighborhood Pinochle club and bowling leagues were enjoyed in the fall and winter, but Bill also took part in the afternoon golf outing shared with many men of the Oxford area. He was a part of the "Chain Gang" along the sidelines at many Oxford Cardinal football games over the years. He enjoyed watching sports on TV and never passed up a chance to go to the horse races, but spending time with family was still his favorite pastime. He looked forward to time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but anywhere that Dot was, was his most favorite spot in the world.

Greeting him in heaven were his loving and devoted wife of over 71 years, Dot; his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Clyde and Louise Blincow; brothers:  Darryl Donner and his wife, Mary; and Bud Manley; sisters: Darleen Denhom and her first husband, Lewis Heller; and Floreen Swanson and her husband, Howard; brother-in-law, Lauren Blincow and his two wives: Ruth and Marie; sister-in-law, Lois Lind and her husband, Bob; brother-in-law, Ingle Glendenning; and sister-in-law, Gloria Lind.

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters: Kathy Wood and her husband, Ed of Ogallala, Nebraska; Pam Murdoch and her husband, Pastor Stan Murdoch of Kearney, Nebraska; Jane Goding and her husband, Tim of Oxford; five grandchildren: Ed Wood and his wife, Shelly of Placentia, California; Dr. Nathan Murdoch and his wife, Tiffany of Grand Island, Nebraska; Emily Jacobs and her husband, Dr. Kellen Jacobs of Norton, Kansas; Will Goding and his wife, Stacie of Grand Island; and Ann Sauer and her husband, Bobby of Atlanta, Georgia; 12 great-grandchildren: Camryn and Carsyn Wood; Bennett, Maxwell, Evelyn and Rutheah Murdoch; Teyah, Oakleigh and Quinten Jacobs; Charlotte Goding; Maddux and Luther Sauer; sister-in-law, Ila Jean Glendenning of Kearney; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 15, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford.

A memorial has been established in Bill's honor, and kindly suggested to the Oxford United Methodist Church; the Holdrege Memorial Homes activity department; or the Furnas County Agriculture Society.

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

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