William P O'Brien

William O’Brien

William Paul O’Brien was born April 14, 1951, in Goodland, Kansas, to Patrick J. and Dorothy J. (Harder) O’Brien. As a youngster he grew up North of Palisade, Nebraska, and moving with family to California, graduated from Artesia High School, Lakewood, California, in 1970.

Bill, as he was known, was employed as a warehouse manager for the GemCo Company in Southern California. He then began his career in trucking, working for UPS, and Agland. Later, Bill was employed with the Ted Behlke Farms retiring in 2003.

Bill married Sharon Pursley on July 15, 1995, in Benkelman, Nebraska, where the couple made their home. Bill was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, of Benkelman, and the Benkelman Country Club. Bill loved to golf, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He especially loved spending time with his friends and family.

Bill passed away, Sunday afternoon, October 30, 2022, at his home in Benkelman. He was 71 years of age.

Survivors Include:
Children: Tracy Gruwell and husband, Donald, of Huntington Beach, CA; Kelly Contreras and husband, Torrey, Cerritos, CA.
Meredith Butteling and husband, Ben, of Anaheim, CA; Dr. Jason Mathews and wife, Adrienne, of Benkelman, NE; Kristopher Mathews and wife, Melissa, of Oberlin, KS.

Grandchildren: Joshua, Zachary, Caden, Presley, Jacob, Elijah, Addison, RJ, Harper, Owen, Reid, and Mason.

Siblings: Connie Rucker and husband, Ron, of Omaha, NE, Pat O’Brien and wife, Arneth, of Prescott Valley, AZ, Ann Perez and husband Jerry, of Brea, CA, Liz Cuellar and husband, Jeff, of Prescott Valley, AZ. Tim O’Brien of Prescott Valley, AZ; Carla Demofonte, Prescott Valley, AZ; Karyl White of Shelley, ID; Tom O’Brien and wife, Marlene, of Kingman, Az, John O’Brien of Apache Junction, AZ.

Sister-In-Law: Arlene Stute, of Benkelman, NE

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Lynn Baldwin,
Brother-In-Law; Larry Stute; Nephew; Brian Stute; Mother-in-law; Addie Pursley, and many aunts and uncles.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held Saturday, November 5, 2002, 10:30 A.M., (MT) at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Benkelman, NE, with Father Matthew Eickhoff celebrant. Inurnment will follow at the Benkelman Cemetery, Benkelman, NE

A Rosary will be recited Saturday, November 5, 2022, before services starting at 10:00 A.M. (MT) at St Joseph Catholic Church Benkelman, NE

A memorial, In Bill’s Memory, has been suggested to the Benkelman Community Foundation for use at the Benkelman Country Club.

Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com

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