William Koehler "Bill" Picard

William Koehler “Bill” Picard was born to Charles L. and Louise (Koehler) Picard on April 5, 1930 in Geneva, Nebraska. He passed away on August 8, 2022 at Heritage Crossings Nursing Home in Geneva, Nebraska at the age of 92 years, 4 months, and 3 days. Bill grew up in Geneva and attended Geneva Public Schools, graduating from Geneva High School in 1948. He then attended Doane College for 2 years, where he met Margaret (Peggy) Huston. They dated for a while during college and then went their separate ways. Bill was continuing his education at the University of Nebraska when he found out he wouldn’t have to take his final semester exams if he enlisted in military service, so he joined the United States Air Force on January 11, 1951. While boarding a bus to take his physical exam in Omaha, Bill noticed Peggy walking by, and he asked her if he could stay in touch with her. She agreed to write if he wrote to her first. Bill took his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas followed by another eight months at Sandia Atomic Energy Commission Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Bill and Peggy’s correspondence went very well and they made plans for a large church wedding. However, their plans quickly changed when he received orders to be shipped overseas. Peggy went to Albuquerque and they were married August, 15, 1951 in the Sandia Base Chapel. Thirty days after they were married, Bill’s unit was transferred to a Hardship Base in French Morocco, Africa. Their job was to assemble and guard the atomic bomb. They all had top-secret clearances. and Bill always joked by saying he fought the Korean War in Africa. After returning to the United States, Bill was assigned to Carswel Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas. He was discharged from the service on October 13, 1954. Following his discharge, Bill and Peggy stayed in Fort Worth. Bill attended Texas Christian University from 1954-1956, receiving his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. After returning to Omaha in 1956, Bill took a job with the University of Omaha as Purchasing Agent. His primary function was the furnishing of two new buildings. Being only 27 at the time, Bill knew nothing about design or furniture, but his proposal was to copy the design of the table at the United Nations, of course he had never actually seen that table, but he was very convincing and the finished project was a success. The Administration thought it was such a grand plan that when he resigned, a luncheon was held in his honor. After leaving the University, Bill accepted a position as Director of Personnel at Methodist Hospital in Omaha. He later became the President of Children’s Hospital and then Shared Service Systems Inc. He oversaw the operation of many rural hospitals under contract with Methodist. Bill remained with Methodist Health Systems for over 31 years retiring in 1991 at the age of 61. Bill and Peggy adopted two young children, Robert (1½) and Elizabeth (2 1/2) on Mother’s Day in 1959. Bill was very active in the Omaha Community throughout his career, and he always enjoyed meeting new people. After Peggy’s death, Bill returned to Geneva. Bill enjoyed the Senior Center, Rotary Club and returning to the Congregational Church. Bill moved to Heritage Crossings in 2017. He enjoyed the Monday morning coffee with the “guys” from town until it was discontinued due to the COVID Pandemic. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; wife Margaret; and brothers Charles and John. Bill is survived by his children Elizabeth (Mike) Terrell and Robert; brother Benjamin Picard and wife, Susanna; grandchildren Christina Woods & Cory Ellison and Katie Sachs; great grandchild Kelsey Ellison; cousin Alice Tatro; and good friends Shirley Schroetlin, Carol Hendrych, and Ruth Jones Stone. A Memorial Service for Bill was held on Monday, August 15, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Geneva. Kim Dunker presided over the Memorial Service. Nancy Cradduck provided instrumental music to the songs “Memories” and “I’ll Fly Away.” The recorded selection “Wind Beneath My Wings” was also played during the Memorial Service. A Graveside Service was held in the Geneva Public Cemetery following the Memorial Service. Military Honors were provided by the Samuel J. Marsh Geneva VFW Post 7102 and the Geneva Sons Of The American Legion. Memorials are suggested to the Belly Button Run to benefit Gastroschisis in care of Carleen Light. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com.

Tributes

William Koehler "Bill" Picard

April 5, 1930 - August 8, 2022