William Kuhl, Jr., age 82 of Hershey, passed away Friday, February 23, 2018, at Great Plains Health. Bill was born December 13, 1935, in Grainton, NE to William, Sr. and Elsie (Jaenicke) Kuhl. He attended school at Wallace before leaving to help his dad. He later received his GED from Hershey. He joined the US Air Force in 1955, serving in Japan and Taiwan during the Korean War. After his discharge in 1958, he returned to Nebraska where he worked on various farms and ranches in the Valentine, Cozad, and Lexington areas. He married Sarrah Frances Zimmerman on February 8, 1957. In 1968 he went to work for Olson Farms and retired from there in 2001.
Bill never knew a stranger and made friends easily. He usually had an impish grin on his face and his kids and grandkids knew he was up to something, usually at their expense. He enjoyed his John Deere Tractors, loved to work, and kept himself busy with various projects. He also liked playing cards with whoever would sit down for a hand. He and Sarrah also square danced. He enjoyed following his children and grandchildren’s activities and playing the Farming game with the grandkids. He followed the Hershey Panthers and the Huskers, especially volleyball and basketball. He enjoyed going to auctions usually finding “gifts” to give to his family. He loved talking to people and having coffee with the guys.
Bill is survived by his children, Terri (Gene) Woodward of Wichita Falls, TX, Jo (Curtis) Smith of North Platte, Cherilyn Kuhl of North Platte, and William Kuhl III of Hartford, SD; 8 grandchildren, Jerry, Christina, Joseph, Brad, Anthony, Wes, Brittany and Will IV; several great grandchildren; brother Bernard (Marilyn) Kuhl of Lee, FL; sister-in-law Lee Kuhl of Santa Maria, CA; as well as other extended family members and friends, including Joe (Wanda) Martinez of Hershey.
He was preceded in death by his parents William and Elsie Kuhl, Sr.; wife Sarrah in December of 2016; grandson Aaron Kuhl; brothers Albert and Harvey Kuhl; and sisters Mary (Alberta) Mills and Helena Kettle.
Memorials are suggested to the Hershey United Methodist Church, the Hershey Volunteer Fire Department or Hershey Teammates Program. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com . Funeral services will be held Friday, March 2, 2018 at 10:00 at the Hershey Methodist Church with Pastor Mark Baldwin officiating. Burial will follow at the Morningview Cemetery near Wallace. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Thursday March 1, 2018 with family receiving friends from 6:00 until 8:00 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.