William I Buckingham

In Memory ofWilliam I. BuckinghamWilliam Ira Buckingham was born April 8, 1922 to Glenn and Mary (Vossler) Buckingham on a farm southwest of Friend, the youngest of two children and died Saturday, July 11, 2009 at the Friend Manor at the age of 87 years 3 months and 3 days. Bill was baptized on April 12, 1925 at the Friend Methodist Episcopal Church. As a young boy he attended country school District #5 and later graduated with the class of 1939 from Friend High School. Bill was drafted into the Army during WWII, but was sent home because he was a farmer. He was united in marriage to Velma A. Goodman-Middendorf on August 27, 1961 in Friend. Together they made their home on the Buckingham farm southwest of Friend and Bill also drove trucks moving grain and livestock to markets in Omaha, Lincoln and St. Joe for his friends and neighbors. He was an accomplished harmonica player and enjoyed playing country music and blue grass with the Prairie Land Park (Tex and Mary Schulz) musical group. For many years, Bill and Velma were pleased to have the opportunity to raise Rodney after his father died. All his life, Bill showed his love of animals and his special love was for the "house" dogs, making sure he was home on time to take care of them. He is survived by his wife Velma Buckingham, Friend, grandson, Rodney Hillgren and his wife, Bonnie, of Crete, step-children and spouses, Marlene Bahr, Alcester, SD, JoAnn and Ross Bruning, Minden, step-grandchildren and spouses, Jodie and Lois Bruning, Greg and Julie Bruning, Rick and Susan Hillgren, Rodney and Bonnie Hillgren, Pam and Duane Tielke, Janette and Bill Fischer, Carole and Allan Potter, several great and great-great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Leona Ihde, May 27, 2009. A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at United Church of Christ in Friend with Rev. Tim and Rev. Ginny Adams officiating. Interment will be in the Andrew Cemetery, Friend. Visitation is from 1-8 pm Monday; 9-8 pm Tuesday; 9-11 am Wednesday at the funeral home and one hour prior to service at church. Memorials are directed Aserca Care Hospice. Pallbearers are Rodney Hillgren, Wayne Vossler, Charles Cogswell, Dennis Peters, Dave Jurgensen and Gary Rohrig.