William "Bill" G. Koehler

William (Bill) George Koehler, 86, of Tecumseh, Nebraska, passed away peacefully and surrounded by his family on the morning of January 11, 2026.
Bill was many things to many people. He began life as a son, born at home on November 28, 1939 to Herman & Carrie (Hoffman) Koehler in rural Johnson County, Nebraska. He was baptized on
December 17, 1939 at Maple Grove: St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, with his grandfathers, William Koehler and George Hoffman as sponsors. He was later confirmed at Maple Grove on February 22, 1953, led by Ephesians 4:32 “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Bill became big brother to Bob and Joyce, and later on, to twins Dan and Don. Bill was a great help to his mother and father as the oldest. Growing up he and his siblings rode calves and shot bb guns; and as older kids, created things with their dad’s welder. His siblings recall him watching over them very tenderly.
Bill attended Elk Creek High School in Elk Creek, NE where he participated in football, basketball and track, and was a proud Antler. He joined the Nebraska Army National Guard before graduating high school on May 15, 1958.
Bill met young Velda Oestmann when he was 19, and swept her off her feet at a community dance in Tecumseh. Velda so anticipated any time he asked her to dance! A goodnight kiss at the end of their first date sealed the deal. He became a husband when he & Velda were married at Martin Luther Church in rural Johnson, Nebraska on August 30, 1961. After their marriage, they would journey to Auburn every Monday night where she visited her parents while he attended meetings with the Company B, 2nd Battalion, 134th Infantry. Bill
served as a tank operator, an infantryman, and was awarded the sharpshooter badge. After eight years of dedicated service, he was honorably discharged on March 24, 1965 as an E-5 Sergeant.
Bill earned the title of “Dad” with the birth of their first son, Rodney, daughter Renae, and second son, Royce. He was a soft spoken, fair, and loving father, and an exceptional example to his kids. Despite any amount of work to do, he always could find the fun in tasks around the farm.
Bill worked as a carpenter for many years while he and Velda grew their ranch. They had horses and enjoyed trail rides, even riding mules to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. And they danced and danced. When grandkids started arriving, Bill was proud to earn the title of “Grandpa.” They would ride their grandpa like a bucking bronco, shadow him around doing chores, make up songs and stories, and whether in church or the pick-up, race to sit closest to Papa.
Bill found great companionship and comfort in his faith-emphasizing to family even in his final days, the importance of his personal relationship with God, “someone to talk to in the field.” Bill had a very creative mind and a knack to invent “fix-its” around the farm. He was a true cowboy. And a patient teacher. His deep appreciation for the little things in life poured out and uplifted the days for anyone around him.
His service to his faith and his church was very important to him, including helping with the building projects of the Maple Grove Church and care home, and serving on church council for many years.

It was his and Velda’s dream come true to spend their lives together on the farm and tend to their cows and calves. Their greatest joy was to witness their family expand and have rowdy nights of card games and good times with their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. They both consider themselves abundantly blessed by good neighbors and deeply loving family.
On Sunday morning, Bill was honored by a National Guard fly-over, where a Blackhawk helicopter hovered outside the view of his picture window. After he passed, the Koehler family met at Maple Grove church to toll the bell, honoring each of the 86 years of Bill’s life.
Bill is reunited in death with his parents Herman & Carrie (Hoffman) Koehler, older sister Ina Mae Koehler, grandparents William & Wilehlmine (Brockmeier) Koehler, and George & Gertrude (Elenga) Hoffman and niece Tracy Leigh Koehler.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 inspiring years, Velda (Oestmann) Koehler, children Rodney & Cheryl Koehler, Renae Koehler & Stephen Martin, and Royce & Mindy Koehler. He is loved and remembered by his grandchildren Austin & Cheyanne Koehler, Elyssa & Dylan DeBoer, Carlee & Taylor Moates, Mandalyn & Drew Bydalek, Izac Martin, Madison & Brantley Eklund, Cashel Martin, and Morgan & Simon Johnson. Along with his grandchildren, Bill is survived by his five adoring great-grandsons, Colter & Jameson DeBoer, Everett Eklund, Elijah Johnson, and David Bydalek. He is survived by his siblings Robert & Ellen Koehler, Joyce Koehler, Daniel & Beverly Koehler, and Donald & Karen Koehler, nieces and nephews. Also missing him are the countless extended family, and many friends he found wherever he went. 
Bill will be remembered as a thoughtful husband, exceptional father, and adored grandpa. His deep well of vividly descriptive and wildly entertaining stories are treasures to his family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at the St. Paul's U.C.C. (Maple Grove) Church, rural Tecumseh, Nebraska with Rev. Dr. Renae Koehler officiating.  A link to the livestream is available here: https://www.facebook.com/100057240888156/videos/1843606606272918

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Memorials may go to the family's choice.

Interment will be in the St. Paul's U.C.C. (Maple Grove) Cemetery, rural Tecumseh, Nebraska with full military honors by the Tracy-Bates American Post #370 of Elk Creek and the Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team.

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, Tecumseh, Nebraska.

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