died Friday February 2, 2018 at Nye Legacy Health and Rehab.
He was born on a farm south of Woodbine, Iowa on November 3, 1919 to Jesse and Hazel DeForest, the second of four sons. He attended a rural school and graduated from Woodbine High School with a Normal Training Certificate, which permitted teaching in rural schools. For five years he taught in the Woodbine and Persia areas. He worked in the Union Pacific Headquarters offices in Omaha for a year and a half, and later worked for C.A. Swanson and Sons and Campbell Soup from 1944 to 1967 in payroll and Personnel Administration. He was employed at Equitable Federal Savings and Loan from 1967 to 1988 as Personnel Manager, Branch Manager, and Office Manager. After retiring as Vice President of Operations from the Savings and Loan, in 1988 he began working part time (for eleven years) in the marketing department at Fremont National Bank and Trust. Over the years he was certified as an Activity Vector Personnel Analyst and participated in many Personnel and Sales Development courses. He attended Creighton University for a short period, and had a great interest in drama and would have liked to pursue acting. He cared very much about others.
He married Myrna Waldemer in November of 1942. To this union a daughter, Shari Lynne, was born on January 31, 1948. Myrna passed away on April 10, 1964. Later, on November 27, 1968, he married Berniece Sedlacek, who had a daughter, Kathy Allender, and five sons, Ronald, Wesley, David, Gary and Donald Sedlacek.
He was baptized in the First Christian Church in Omaha on May 16, 1948 and later joined the Florence Christian Church. In December, 1972, he joined the First Baptist Church in Fremont where he held several offices including the office of Treasurer for 20 years. He was president of the Fremont Area Personnel Association on two occasions.
Survivors: daughter Shari Lynne Cook, Sauk City, WI
stepdaughter Kathy (Gene) Allender, Fremont
3 stepsons Ronald, David, and Gary Sedlacek
several grandchildren and great grandchildren
nieces and nephews
He was preceded by his wife Myrna, wife Berniece, and Berniece's sons Wesley and Donald, 3 brothers Delvin, Max and Richard and a nephew Lloyd DeForest.
The funeral service will be 10 AM Saturday, February 10 at the First Baptist Church with the committal to follow in Memorial Cemetery. Visitation at the Ludvigsen Mortuary will be on Friday, February 9, with the family present 5 to 8 PM. Memorials are suggested to the Macular Degeneration Foundation, Kindred Hospice of Fremont and Omaha Home for Boys.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Condolences(7)
Claudia Breckenridge-Huchting
Albuquerque, NM Monday, May 7, 2018 I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. He and Berneice were such good friends to my folks Jim and Millie Williams. Such a good good man.Rudy Peterson
Fremont, NE Saturday, February 10, 2018 I am Rudy Peterson's son, Paul and am relaying for him his deepest condolences to the family. He valued the friendship he had with Bill through First Baptist Church. Rudy's thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.Paul Peterson for Rudy Peterson
Paul Ulrich
LaVista, NE Saturday, February 10, 2018 Was a neighbor to Bill on 7th Street in Fremont. He really was a caring man and they were such great neighbors to our family. Farewell Mr. D.David & Kris DeMoss
Rocky Ford, CO Thursday, February 8, 2018 Uncle Bill,You will truly be missed. You and your brothers were not only gentlemen, but also gentle men. So sorry Shari for your loss, but knowing that Uncle Bill had a very full life.
Love,
Kris & David
Roger & Pam DeForest
Springfield, MO Thursday, February 8, 2018 Uncle Bill, you will truly be missed. You and your brothers were a rare breed of good, hard working men. I will miss your loving, kind ways. May you rest in peace. Shari, so sorry for your loss, but he lived a good life to the very end.Vicki Edwards
Phoenix, AZ Monday, February 5, 2018 Rest in peace, Bill, we will miss your kind and gentle soul.Bonnie Longe
Fremont, NE Monday, February 5, 2018 To Bills Family All My Thoughts And Prayers To All Of You.He Was A Very Caring And Thoughtful Man.And A Good Friend.
God Bless