William Carl Calkins Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Sutton resident, William "Bill" Calkins, 77, passed away Monday, January 16, 2017, at his home in Sutton, NE. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, January 20, 2017, at the Federated Church in Sutton, NE with Pastor Mary Scott officiating. Interment will follow at the Sutton Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m., with the family present from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., at Sutton Memorial Chapel in Sutton, NE. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Sutton Federated Church. William was born January 29, 1939, to Carl and Alberta (Stroud) Calkins in Elyria, Ohio. He joined the Air Force and was transferred to Lincoln, NE where he met his sweet heart Lula Rachow in Lincoln, NE and they were married May 22, 1958. After his discharge from the Air Force William moved to Sutton, NE with his family and began working with Dude May running his caterpillar and then began working at Smith Bros. Implement. He worked for Smith Bros. and Buchli for 32 years and then started work at Sutton Irrigation and was there for 8 years before retiring and becoming Manager of the Fox Hollow Motel. William and his wife managed the motel for 8 years. Fishing and camping while his children were growing up was a passion for him. He loved Husker Football and his Allis Tractors. He was a member of the Federated Church of Sutton, Sutton American Legion for 43 years, the Sutton Volunteer Fire Department for 12 years and 40/8 for 22 years. William is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lula "Lu" of Sutton, NE; sons, William Calkins Jr. of Manhatten, KS; Larry (Laura Bell) Calkins of Aberdeen, WA; Jerry "Happy" Calkins of Sutton, NE; daughters, Sherrie (John) Bartell of Sutton, NE; Mary (Gregory) Kruciak of Red Cloud, NE; sisters, Shirley Speaker of Elyria, OH; Gayle Calkins of Avon Lake, OH; brother, Ronald (Linda) Calkins of Fountain Valley, CA; sisters-in-law, Lois Barker of Omaha, NE; Lola (Don) Laribee of Elsinore, CA; 16 Grandchildren and 14 Great-grandchildren. He so loved his Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; Daughter, Terrie; sister, Ruth Mills and brother, Thomas Calkins.

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William Carl Calkins

January 29, 1939 - January 16, 2017