William Devon Wondercheck, Jr.

William "Bill" D. Wondercheck, Jr., 97, of Albion, NE, passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at Good Samaritan Society in Albion, NE.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 6, 2023, at Immanuel-Zion (South Branch) Church rural Albion, NE with Pastor Elizabeth Goehring officiating. Inurnment will be at South Branch Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by the American Legion Post #73 of Newman Grove, NE, and the Army Funeral Honor Guard. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 5, 2023, at church.

Levander Funeral Home of Newman Grove, NE is in charge of arrangements.

William "Bill" DeVon Wondercheck, Jr., was born to William David and Sephern (Sjoberg) Wondercheck on September 22, 1925, at Atkinson, NE. His parents moved to a farm south of Newman Grove while he was a baby, growing up he lived near Albion and Newman Grove. Bill attended Albion High School and graduated with the class of 1943. After graduation, Bill farmed with his parents until he was drafted into the Army in 1951. He had basic training at Fort Riley, KS, then was stationed in Japan during the Korean War, and was honorably discharged in January of 1953. Once discharged he went back to farming on his own.

On September 27, 1953, Bill was united in marriage to Opal Upton. To this union six children were born. Bill farmed near Newman Grove until he fully retired in 2010. Bill and Opal spent 21 winters in Arizona as snowbirds. They enjoyed square dancing and traveling in their retirement years.

Bill was active on the Newman Grove Co-op, school District #95, and Immanuel-Zion church boards. He was a member of the Immanuel-Zion Lutheran Church and the Newman Grove American Legion Post #73.

Bill is survived by his wife of 69 years Opal Wondercheck of Albion NE; children: Kalene (Art) Howell of Albion, NE; Zane (Teresa) Wondercheck of Newman Grove, NE; Lynn (Wanda) Wondercheck of Albion, NE; Daryl (Sherry) Wondercheck of Chandler, AZ; Jolene (Mike) Block of Cozad, NE; Gary (Debora) Wondercheck of Garden Grove, CA; 19 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law: Adelia Brader of Norfolk, NE; brother-in-law: Arlan (Dorothy) Upton of Beaver Crossing, NE.

He is preceded in death by his parents; infant brother: Zane Wondercheck; sisters and brothers-in-law: Chuck (Bethene) Harpham; Bill (Naoma) Ronnfeldt; brothers-in-laws: Marvin Brader and Gerald Upton.