William H. "Bill" Haney

William H. "Bill" Haney of Columbus died Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at his home in Columbus.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 9, 2023, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Columbus. There will be a vigil service at 2:00 p.m. Friday with visitation to follow from 2:30-4:00 p.m. at the church. Following the visitation Friday, the family will receive friends at the St. Anthony Franciscan Center. Visitation will continue Saturday from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Saturday at the church. Interment is in All Saints Cemetery with Military Honors by the American Legion Hartman Post #84 Honor Guard.

William Haney was born March 3, 1929, at St. Mary's Hospital in Columbus to Howard "Pat" and Bernice (Schostak) Haney. He graduated from Kramer High School in 1947, and then worked for The Union Pacific Railroad as Secretary for the District Foreman in Laramie, Wyoming. In 1948, Bill returned to Columbus to survey REA electric lines. He then went on to attend the Electronic Radio Television Institute (ERTI) in Omaha, learning telegraph and typing. Bill was then hired by Union Pacific as a Depot Agent in several stations selling passenger train tickets and sending/receiving telegram messages. Bill served in the US Air Force during the Korean war in 1950 until his honorable discharge in 1954. He was in communications as a teletype operator attaining the rank of S/SGT. Bill returned to Columbus in 1954 and was employed at Becton-Dickinson where he retired in 1990. On September 3, 1956, Bill was united in marriage to Marilyn Backes at St. Anthony Church in Columbus. To this union, they were blessed with their five children.

Bill enjoyed softball, ballroom dancing, horseshoes, hunting, playing cards, golfing, bowling, Air Force Reunions, Nebraska football and Nebraska women's volleyball. Bill worked Bingo at the VFW. He enjoyed music and playing his guitar. He ushered at St. Anthony Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus #938, The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3704.

Bill is survived by:
Wife: Marilyn

Son: Robert (Margie) Haney of Ashland, NE
Their children: Megan (Ryan) Madison; Brandon; Madison

Son: Richard (Julie) Haney
Their children: Jen (Wade) Wemhoff; Tiffany (Max) Huerter

Daughter: Jean (Orbie) Bowles
Their children: Jesse (Vanessa) Junker; Emily (Brad) Main

Son: Alan (Kelly) Haney
Their children: Adam (Khloe); Andrew; Emma

Daughter: Joni (Al) Starzec
Their children: Jessica (Nathan) Seefeld; Rachel; Joel

Sister: Joyce (Bill) Schuele
10 Great Grandchildren
Many Nieces and Nephews

Bill is preceded in death by:
His parents
Sister: Roberta Haney