William Kent Jr.

William “Bill” Kent Jr. passed away on July 9, 2018 at Cambridge Memorial Hospital.

He was born near Holbrook on September 13, 1937 to Marian (Breinig) and William Kent Sr.

He attended country school north of Holbrook through the 8th grade, and graduated from Holbrook High School in 1955. He served honorably in the army in the Security Services division until he was discharged due to a family death in 1958. He returned to Kearney to be near his dad, where he farmed, and worked for the Ready Mix company. They later moved north of Elm Creek. While there, he worked for DeHy Alfalfa plant. Here he met and married Ellen Anderson, and in 1965 they returned to Holbrook to farm.

They became members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cambridge where his family was baptized and confirmed. He was an active member, and when younger he served as a Trustee, and later as an Elder.

After enjoying the farm life for 35 years, William and Ellen turned the farm over to the next generation. William later became a CNA and worked at the rest home in Cambridge for about 2 years. Later, he worked as a tender truck driver at Ag Valley in Cambridge. Bill continued working at least part time until he was 79, and he enjoyed interacting with the farmers he served. During this time he spent many happy hours at the family farm, working on projects he enjoyed. Most of his family lived nearby and he enjoyed their frequent visits. He took great joy in them.

Bill is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ellen, sons; James (Barb) Kent of Benkelman, William (Margo) Kent III of Cambridge and daughter Jody (Bruce) Hyke of Wilsonville. He has 8 granddaughters, Natalie, Nicole, MiKayla, Marlana, Jacey, Jalen, Ella, and Claire, a step grandson, Matt (Lu), step granddaughter Mollie, and three step great-grandsons, Dominic, Ben, and Jake.

Also surviving are brother-in-law David (Karen) Anderson of Texas; brother-in-law Walter Anderson of Colorado; sister-in-law Nancy Fisher of Gothenburg; sister-in-law Elaine (Rich) Peters of Lincoln and many nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his mother and father, step-mother Martha Warner Kief, and by his brother Stanley Kent, half-brother Delbert Kent and his wife, Myrna Joyce, and brother-in-law George Prince.

Services will be held Thursday, July 12^th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cambridge with Pastor Dan Wies officiating. The family will hold a private inurnment.

Memorials may be sent in his name to St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cambrigde.

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