YOUR AD HERE »

Obituary: BILLIE JO “BILL” DRINKWALTER

BILLIE JO "BILL" DRINKWALTER
Provided Photo
BILLIE JO “

BILL” DRINKWALTER, 83

April 6, 1937 – July 22, 2020

Valentine, Nebraska

Billie Jo “Bill” Drinkwalter

Billie Jo (Bill) Drinkwalter, 83, passed away July 22, 2020 in Valentine, Nebraska.

He was born April 6, 1937 in Valentine to Loren and Esther (Coleman) Drinkwalter. He grew up on the family ranch south of Kilgore and graduated from Valentine High School in 1954. Bill joined the United States Navy and served in Japan and Okinawa for four years during peacetime. He returned to ranching and worked for his older brother Jim where he met Gail Isom. They were married December 18, 1960. The couple moved back to the ranch on the Niobrara River, then to Kilgore, and later to Thedford. Two daughters, Janet and Karen, were born during this time. Bill and Gail owned the Brandin Iron store in Thedford for many years. Bill also traveled as a sales rep for a variety of companies for several years. He was in his element when he could be out on the road visiting with people. In 1999, Bill and Gail moved to Hot Springs, SD.

Bill is survived by his wife Gail, daughters Janet (John) Farmer of Cheyenne, WY and Karen (Mark) Goehring of Carpenter, WY; grandchildren Casey (Kalia) Goehring, Kinzee Goehring, Preston (Shae Brennan) Goehring, Marcus Farmer, Matthew Farmer, Sarah Farmer, and Abigail Farmer; great-grandchildren Ella and Kolter Goehring, Chloe Young, and Isaac Farmer; sisters Dorothy Sharp, Mary Lou Thornton, Delma Fischer, Alma Lea Keller, Betty Boykin, and Charlotte Edwards; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jim Drinkwalter and George Drinkwalter, and sisters Irene Bernick and Lois Keim, and two nieces.

Private family services were held but will be livestreamed through the Valentine Presbyterian Church Facebook page at 10:00 am on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. Public interment was held at Mount Hope Cemetery at 11:00 am. The family will gather at Valentine City Park afterwards for an opportunity to talk with so many of Bill’s friends. Light refreshments will be provided.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Valentine Senior Center or Centennial Hall in Bill’s name.

Online obituary and guest book may be viewed at http://www.sandozfuneralhome.com


[placeholder]