William Henry "Bill" McCormick

1928 - 2025

William Henry "Bill" McCormick

November 2, 1928 - November 24, 2025

William Henry "Bill" McCormick, 97, a lifelong Lincoln County resident, died on November 24, 2025.

Bill was born on November 2, 1928, in rural Custer County, to Henry M. and Margaret M. (Beckius) McCormick. He grew up near Tryon, in a family of ten children. At the age of four, he and his family survived the 1933 Tryon tornado, which destroyed their home.

Bill developed a love of horses and ranching life at an early age. He moved to North Platte in 1948 and briefly worked for Pawnee Springs Ranch near Maxwell and at the Ritner John Deere dealership. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, on Okinawa and in Korea. He never saw combat, but worked as an artillery mechanic, fixing machine guns that new soldiers trained on.

Bill returned from service in 1952. He spent most of his professional career – 40 years – working for North Platte Municipal Light and Power, starting as a groundsman in 1953 before eventually becoming superintendent of electrical distribution.

His job at the power company led Bill to his future wife, Jessie C. Hoppie, who worked in the office. The two married on May 29, 1954. They raised their two daughters, Patricia and Carol, in a brick ranch house on East D Street in North Platte. The family built the house together, with the help of contractors and friends. It would remain Bill and Jessie's home for almost 50 years.

Bill earned a master electrician's license. He installed wiring in many houses in North Platte and the surrounding area with his wife's help.

Bill was a proud member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. In 1977, while serving as a trustee of the church, he and three others established the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment Trust. He was also a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, third and fourth degrees, the Lincoln County Cattlemen and the Nebraska Angus Association. He volunteered in many ways at the church and school, and at the Golden Spike Tower.

But Bill's favorite hobby was work. In 1978, he and Jessie established Lazy K Angus, raising purebred seedstock that they sold across Nebraska. Bill and Jessie ranched cattle alongside his day job at the power company for nearly 20 years. He retired from the power company in 1993 to focus on ranching.

Jessie preceded Bill in death on April 11, 2024, 44 days before their 70th wedding anniversary. He was also preceded in death by eight of his nine siblings.

Survivors include his two daughters, Pat Mittan of Salome, Ariz., and Carol McCormick (June Focken) of Glenwood, Iowa; his grandson, Kyle Mittan of Tucson, Ariz.; his sister, Sr. Rosella McCormick of Louisville, Ky.; his sister-in-law, Beth Ann Fairfield of Glenwood; and the son he never had, Lemoyne (Rhonda) Dailey of Thedford.

Memorials suggested to the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment.

Memorial service is Monday, Dec. 1, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Visitation begins at 9 a.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Graveside service follows at the North Platte Cemetery. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is assisting the family.