William "Bill" Olson

William Stanford Olson (“Bill”) passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Sunday, August 19, 2018 at the Regional West Garden County Hospital at the age of 89.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday August 25th, 2018 at the Oshkosh United Methodist Church with Pastor Janie Freeman and Pastor Ray Weinerman officiating.  Military honors will be provided at the church by the United States Army.  Services will conclude at the church and burial will be private at the Lisco Memorial Cemetery.

Everyone is invited to a Community Celebration of Bill's life at the Oshkosh Country Club following the memorial service.

Prior to cremation, there will be a public viewing on Tuesday, August 21, from 4-6 p.m. at the Holecheck-Bondegard Funeral Home in Oshkosh.

Memorials are suggested to the Garden County Community Foundation, Box 521, Oshkosh, Nebraska 69154 or the Regional West Garden County Health Services Foundation Fund, 1100 West 2nd Street, Oshkosh, Nebraska 69154.

Holechek-Bondegard Funeral Home and Cremations in Oshkosh is serving the Olson Family.

Born to Harold and Helen Olson in North Platte, Nebraska, on May 23, 1929, growing up in Lisco, Nebraska.  During his early years, Bill worked for 13 summers on the Rush Creek ranch near Lisco.  Bill graduated Garden County High School and went on to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and received a B.A. from the College of Business in 1951.  Bill was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.

Bill was discharged from the Army in 1953 where he served as Counterintelligence of the United States Army during the Korean War.  He began his banking career at Lisco State Bank and drove a school bus part time to earn extra money.  He continued his bank training at National Bank of Commerce in Lincoln in 1955.

Bill and Joyce Johnson began a courtship in Lincoln and were united in marriage on November 23, 1956.  While in Lincoln, Bill was active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce and co-chaired the Membership Committee.  In 1958, Bill and Joyce relocated to Ogallala, Nebraska where he worked for First National Bank of Ogallala. Bill served as President of Jaycees and Lions Club. Bill was actively involved in an innovative tourist attraction to promote Ogallala.  He became one of the Founders of Front Street that is still going strong today 60 plus years later. 

Bill and Joyce relocated to Oshkosh, Nebraska in 1967 where he began a partnership with Donald Fecht, purchasing the bank from Floyd Ferrell. Bill and Joyce became the sole owner of Nebraska State Bank in 1980 and are still primary owners today.  While in Oshkosh, Bill has devoted his entire life to enhancing main street.  He was instrumental in establishing the Oshkosh Feed Lot in the 1970’s that still exists today.  He helped raise private funds to transform the Oshkosh golf course from sand greens to grass in the 1980’s.  He served on the Oshkosh City Council from 1968-1978 and the Garden County School Board from 1974-1980. Bill was a faithful servant of God and was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Oshkosh. He was a 50 year-plus member of the Oshkosh Masonic Lodge and Master Mason.

In retirement years, Bill helped to raise money for the expansion of the Garden County Hospital and Nursing Home and most recently he was instrumental in the campaign efforts to rebuild the Oshkosh City Swimming Pool and City Park.  In 2008, Bill was the recipient of the Garden County Hall of Fame Award and in 2013 he was awarded the state of Nebraska First Lady’s Outstanding Community Service Award:  A Lifetime Achievement in Volunteer Services.

Bill inspired others by his generosity, kindness, and genuine love for his country, state, community and God.  Bill was a loyal Husker fan attending Husker football games for over 60 years.  Bill was also an avid hunter and sportsman.

Upon retirement, Joyce and Bill enjoyed 16 years living in Green Valley, Arizona, during the winter months where they spent the golden years with wonderful friends. 

Bill would say his greatest accomplishment was his three children and five grandchildren.  He is survived by his daughter Christine (John) Vanderliet of Angels Camp, CA and grandson Erik attending University of California-Irvine.  Daughter Carla (Ken) Lehman of Denver, CO and grandson Scott Ayers attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and granddaughter Natalie Ayers attending Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Co.   Daughter Beth (Mark) Brase of Windsor, CO and granddaughter Sarah, attending University of Colorado-Boulder, and granddaughter Elizabeth attending Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins, CO. Also survived by sister Barbara Olson Ferguson of Greenwood Village, Colorado, and brother Thomas Olson and sister-in-law Cynthia of Lincoln, Nebraska, and many nieces and nephews. 

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, wife Joyce, sister Marjorie Olson Eaton and husband Gene of Lincoln, Nebraska and brother-in-law Charles Ferguson (Barbara) of Greenwood Village, CO.