William F. "Bill" McLaughlin, 75, of Rising City, died Friday, June 20, 2025 at UNMC in Omaha.
Memorial Mass
Friday, June 27, 2025 10:00 a.m.
St. Francis Catholic Church, Center Rev. Adam Sughroue, Celebrant
Visitation Thursday June 26, 2025 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Kracl Funeral Chapel, David City, with a 7:00 p.m. Rosary at the chapel
Interment of cremated remains David City Cemetery, David City, Nebraska
Lunch following interment at the community hall in Rising City
Memorials suggested to Rising City Volunteer Fire Department
William "Bill" McLaughlin was born March 18, 1950 to William M. and Mary "Sally" McLaughlin. Bill grew up on the family farm just on the outskirts of David City. At a very young age he took on the responsibilities of keeping the family farm successful, whether tending to the crops, helping his mom with her chickens or milking their dairy cows daily with his two brothers & sisters.
Bill was united in marriage to Shirley (Runquist) McLaughlin on December 1, 1973. They started their lives together in Shelby before eventually making their home in Rising City. Three children were born to this union. Bill held many jobs throughout his life, but being a truck driver brought him the most joy. Bill and Shirley had their own trucking company before he eventually becoming an owner operator for other companies.
At a very young age Bill had to learn that life isn't fair and it was going to take everything he had to survive and provide for his family, which mattered most to him. Bill was diagnosed with Polio at age 2, and was in a rodeo accident at 15 that left him in a coma for 14 days. He had a heart attack at 57 and lost his wife at 61.
After retiring from trucking, his hobbies included fixing and breaking mowers, morning and afternoon gossip, coffee gatherings at the gas station, strolling the town, and finishing his evenings socializing at the bar while having a cold beer.
Bills compassion and quick wit jokes were with him until the end.
He is survived by his daughters; Sheri (Dannie) Steager and their children: Makenna of Suprise, Billie Jo (Scott) Hlavac and their children: Seth and Riah of Abie, Bob (Alexis) McLaughlin and their children: Khloee & Ezma of Rising City, sister, Jean Dishman of North Platte, brother, Chuck (Susie) McLaughlin of Omaha, Don (Stephanie) McLaughlin of Columbus, several nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife (2011), and parents.
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