Memorial Services for William "Bill" Putnam, age 75, of O'Neill will be at 10:30 am Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill.

Burial will be at a later date in the O'Neill Cemetery.

Memorial Visitation will be from 5-8 pm Monday, April 9, 2018 at Biglin's Mortuary with a 7 pm Knights of Columbus Rosary.

Bill passed away on Saturday, March 31, 2018.

Biglin's Mortuary of O'Neill is in charge of arrangements.

William Leon Putnam was born in O'Neill, Nebraska to Wilma (Nelson) and Leon "L.D." Putnam on April 27, 1942. He grew up working on the ranch while attending school at St. Mary's Academy, and graduated in 1960.  He then attended Wayne State College where he met Nancy Ann Kurtenbach of Platte Center, Nebraska, to whom he would become engaged in December of 1964.

Bill was drafted into the Army, where he was trained as a medic and was awarded a sharpshooter badge. He was honorably discharged in 1964.  He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus and attained the rank of 4 ^th degree Knight.

Nancy and Bill were married May 22, 1965 in Platte Center, NE. They made their home in O'Neill and had 2 children, Mari Catharine and Anne Elizabeth.

A lifelong rancher, Bill loved the land and his livestock. Managing operations in South Dakota and Nebraska, Bill employed many cowboys and ranch hands over the years.

In the early seventies, Bill's father-in-law, Ted Kurtenbach, introduced him to the game of golf.  After throwing a club or two, Bill learned to enjoy the game, and spent countless hours at the O'Neill Country Club. With a combination of skill and luck, he shot a hole-in-one on three different occasions. His grandkids often accompanied him on golf outings, and occasionally Grandpa Bill would let the grandkids "fish" at the golf course and catch themselves a bucket of balls.

There was no greater fan than Grandpa Bill.  Until his health would no longer allow him, he faithfully attended any activity in which his family was involved. Bill loved to watch sports, especially those in which his kids, grandkids, nieces or nephews were participating.  He umpired softball and baseball for many years, and was also a coach.  Bill was well known for his shrill whistle and could occasionally be heard doing a little officiating from the stands.  He was never shy about sitting in on a game of cards and was known to be a shrewd poker player over the years.

Bill was passionate about many causes and was never afraid to give an honest opinion. He welcomed a good debate on nearly any subject, and enjoyed the time spent having coffee with friends and discussing the day's events. Bill's generosity not only extended to the community but to many individuals, as well.  He was one of a kind, a loyal friend, and will be greatly missed.

Bill is survived by his wife of 52 years, Nancy Putnam of O'Neill; two daughters, Mari and husband, Steve Osborne, of Atkinson, and Anne and Troy Jamber of Omaha; grandchildren Matthew of Lincoln, Rachael of Atkinson, and Blake and Aaron, both of Omaha.  He is also survived by nieces and nephews Shannon Putnam of Canggu, Bali, Sean Putnam of Lincoln, Tara Putnam of Seattle, Washington, Shane Putnam of Poulsbo, Washington, Kara Putnam of Seattle, Washington, and Shea Putnam of Dallas, Texas; and a sister-in-law, Donna Putnam of York, NE.

Preceding him in death were his parents, L.D. and Wilma Putnam; his father and mother-in-law, Ted and Evelyn Kurtenbach; brother, Daniel; and sister-in-law Judy Putnam.