Bill Wesslund

William 'Bill' Osborne Wesslund, 92, of North Platte, NE, passed away Sunday, November 2, 2014, at his home. Bill was born July 17, 1922, to Martin Ludwig and Elaine Wesslund in Omaha, NE where he grew up. Bill graduated from Tech High School and served in the Naval Reserves while in school. He was called to active duty on March 25, 1940, and served in Hawaii, Alaska, New Guinea and the Philippines. Following his discharge in 1945, Bill returned to Omaha and his job at AT&T. On September 10, 1943, Bill married his childhood sweetheart, Ida Ruth Harris of Omaha, in Seattle, WA. They moved to North Platte in 1945 where Bill continued to work for AT&T/Northwestern Bell Telephone until he retired in 1974. Bill had been a member of the First Presbyterian Church for 68 years and was actively involved as an Elder, Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and with the Mariners Group. He was a past member of B.P.O. Elks #985, P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion and the Telephone Pioneers. Bill was also a Ham Radio Operator with the call letters WDNW and was later licensed as WBJ. He is survived by his 11 children, Patricia R. (Thomas) Kamin, of LaVista, NE, William J. (Mary Copenhaver) Wesslund, of Portland, OR, Linda E. (Robert) Kamin, of Omaha, NE, Robert J. (Connie) Wesslund, of Lincoln, NE, David C. Wesslund, of Portland, OR, Daniel M. (Susan) Wesslund, of North Platte, Kristen A. Perkins, of Omaha, NE, John D. (Bernadette) Wesslund, of LaVista, NE, Susan E. (Jeffrey) Petersen, of North Platte, Janet K. McClellen, of Omaha, NE, and Joan M. (Mark) Claar, of Overland Park, KS. Survivors also include 17 grandchildren, Todd, Mark, Brian, Andy, Eric, Catherine, Amy, Adam, Joy, Stephanie, Stacy, Amanda, Annah, Jill, Sara, Katie and Alec; 13 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and other family. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Ida; his parents, Martin and Elaine; and a brother, Robert E. Wesslund. Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday, November 7, 2014, at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Polly Deppen-Williams officiating. Inurnment with military honors will be at 2 p.m. in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church or the North Platte Senior Center. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements.