William Charles Connell (Bill) of Platte Center, NE, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, went to be with the Lord on October 13, 2025. Bill served his family well with his can do attitude and his heart of service to his loved ones and others. He was a jokester and was known fondly for his teasing and breaking out in song or sonnet. His abiding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ brings great comfort to those who knew and loved him, and it is the truth of God’s faithfulness that sustains them.

Bill was born in Chadron, NE, on July 17, 1938, to Clarence C. Connell and Mary A. Connell (Steele). He spent his younger years on a farm near Whitney, NE, attending Chadron High School, where he also played football. Bill joined the Navy in 1956, with basic training in Chicago, IL.  He served on the USS Nicholas based out of Hawaii, spending three years on active duty and three years on inactive duty.

After his discharge from the Navy, Bill worked at odd jobs around the Chadron and Kimball area. At one point, he went with a friend to California to work as a journeyman carpenter. They later returned to Chadron and worked on the high rise dormitory at Chadron State College. It was at this time that he met and married Joyce Carlson of rural Hay Springs, NE. They were married on August 14, 1966, and to this union were born six children: Cindy (Matt) Stoeckle, Crystal (Ruffin) Stirling, twins Wayne (Diana) and Wendell (Joanne), Wilburn (Karen), and Coleen (Neil) Schroetlin.

In August, 1966, Bill’s job at Chadron was completed. Unable to find additional carpentry work, he went back to trade school in Hastings, NE, where he took auto mechanics. Bill then worked in Holdrege, NE, for several years before starting his own shop. After starting to raise ostriches, Bill and Joyce needed more land, so they moved to rural Callaway, NE. Bill worked there as a mechanic until retirement. After retirement, he continued to work on small engines out of his garage. In later years, they moved to be closer to their kids, and settled in Platte Center, NE.

Bill enjoyed working with his hands and was able to do electrical work, plumbing, remodeling and, of course, keep everyone’s cars running. He was an active member of the churches he attended, serving at various times as trustee and treasurer. He loved animals and had many different pets through the years. His greatest love was his family, and through the years he attended many sporting events of his children and grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his wife, his children and their spouses, and 18 grandchildren: Callie Stoeckle, twins Nick and Noah Stoeckle, RJ Stirling, Sarah (Bruce) Komesu, Jesse Stirling, Grace Stirling, Molly Stirling, Joshua Connell, Josiah Connell, Meggan (Ben) Gosnell, Emmalee Connell, Ashley (Connell) Dick, Cassidy (Ty) Snyder, Seth Connell, Malachi Connell, Alec Schroetlin, and Hunter (Amanda) Schroetlin.

He is also survived by 11 great grandchildren: Harlow and Hadleigh Dick; Eramias and Kharia Benson; Kiyona, Ezekai, Jovie, and Reina Komesu; Archer and Piper Snyder; and Bria Schroetlin.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Robert, and wife, Judy, his brother, Daniel, in infancy, and a nephew in infancy.

Services will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 11:00 am at Highland Park Evangelical Church in Columbus, NE, where Bill was a member. Lunch to follow in the reception area.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Bill’s legacy by giving to the ministry of Royal Family Kids Camp, an organization dedicated to helping abused and neglected children in the foster care system.

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