William Karl "Bill" Betz

William Karl "Bill" Betz, 88, of Gothenburg, died on Dec. 16, 2022, at Hilltop Estates. Bill was born on Jan.15, 1934, at Farnam Hospital to Gottlob Betz and Elsie (Dietrich) Betz. He attended grade school at Farnam, north of Moorefield and south of Eustis. After completing 8th grade at the country school, he started farming full-time with his father at the farm in West Canyon, south of Eustis. Bill and Bonnie Jean Russell were married on May 26, 1960, at the Dawson County Courthouse. They continued to farm south of Eustis and were blessed with three children: Will, Connie and Judy. Bill and Bonnie were married for 61 years until she passed on Sept. 12, 2021. Bill farmed at the homestead until 1980, managing fields and livestock alike. Bill farmed and worked for Hi-Line Implements until he took a full-time job with Frontier County as a heavy equipment operator. He took great pride in maintaining Frontier County roads year-round. Even after a work accident on a county project, you would always find Bill doing something to occupy his time. Whether mowing for his neighbors or tinkering in his workshop, Bill kept active. Bill and Bonnie made their home in Gothenburg, where they resided until declining health resulted in Bonnie moving. Eventually, Bill also moved into assisted living at the same facility so he could be near Bonnie. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Gottlob and Elsie; older brother, Walter Betz; and wife, Bonnie Betz. He is survived by his son, Will (Kay) Betz of Houston; daughters, Connie (Jay) Huber of Cozad and Judy (Alan) Babcock of Honolulu; six grandchildren, Ryan (Erica) Huber, Dallas (Karina) Huber, Jessica (Jon Bittick) Betz, Nathan (Sandy) Betz, Amy Babcock and Wesley Babcock; and one great-grandchild, Liam Huber. Memorials are suggested to the family for a memorial at the Farnam Park. Service is at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, with Pastor Kathy Gundell officiating. Interment will follow at the Farnam Cemetery, Farnam. Visitation, with the family present, is from 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg.