Bill Witmer

Bill Witmer, 91 of Webster died Tuesday October 18, 2016 at Bethesda Home in Webster. Memorial services will be at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, November 5, 2016 at Heritage Village Chapel in Webster, Pastor Mike McCarlson will officiate. Inurnment with military honors will be at Webster Cemetery. Bill Barker Witmer was born on March 3, 1925 to Joseph and Florence (Barker) Witmer at Lincoln, Nebraska. He attended and graduated from Lincoln High School and in 1942 enrolled at the University of Nebraska. In 1943 he entered the U.S. Army and served in Europe in World War II. After he was discharged he returned to Lincoln and graduated with a Horticulture Degree. He was later given an honorary degree in Ag Engineering. He married Alice Frame on July 8, 1947 in Iowa. After their marriage the couple made their home in Lincoln. The couple lived at several locations including Palmyra, Syracuse and Omaha, Nebraska and then Sioux Falls, South Dakota. His occupations included a florist, farmer, teacher, ag engineer for an electric company and then G.T.A. Elevator. He retired in 1990. The couple moved to Heritage Village in Webster in July 2009 and then entered Bethesda Home in September 2011. Alice passed away in February 2015. While living in Sioux Falls he was an active member of Asbury Methodist Church and was a board member for the Methodist camping for North and South Dakota. Bill was always there to help for a variety of organizations including Boy Scouts, Habitat for Humanity and others. He had several hobbies, but his two favorites were woodworking and stained glass. He used those talents along with his engineering to help with the additions to the Asbury Methodist Church. Bill passed away on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at Webster, South Dakota at the age of 91 years, 7 months and 15 days. Survivors include one son, Steve (Marcia) Witmer of York, NE; two daughters, Nancy (George) Schempp of Rockville, MN and Mary (Terry) VanHunnik of Webster, SD; one brother, John (Winifred) Witmer of Fair Oaks, CA; ten grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and one sister, Mary.