William 'Bill' Royal Vasey

William 'Bill' Royal Vasey, age 89 of Cozad, Nebraska, passed away Sunday, December 1, 2019, at Meadowlark Pointe Assisted Living. Bill, son of Royal and Hilda (German) Vasey, was born at Cozad, Nebraska, September 22, 1930. He attended District 19 and Cozad City Schools and graduated in 1948. Bill attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado and graduated in 1953. Following graduation, he entered the U.S. Army at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and spent most of his time in Germany during the Korean War. After his years in the service, Bill returned home to the family farm where he spent his remaining working career. Bill married Mary Jane Bovee on March 16, 1957 at the Cozad United Methodist Church. To this union, three children were born: Douglas, Susan and Nancy. Bill and Mary Jane made their home on the farm east of Cozad for almost 58 years before moving to town in 2015.

Bill made service a high priority in his life. His rank as 1st Lieutenant in the Army was just one example of his leadership. After returning from Germany he taught a veteran's agriculture class at Cozad High along with sponsoring Future Farmers of America. He was a lifelong member of Cozad Church of Christ and was an elder for over 50 years. Bill was a past President of Nebraska Flying Farmers, President of the Cozad Chamber of Commerce, President of District #19 school board, board member of Educational Service Unit #10 and board chairman of Central Platte NRD. He was also a member of the Cozad Elks Lodge #2250 and Rotary Club. The Vasey Family was honored by the Cozad Chamber of Commerce as Farm Family of the year in 2008, received a Stewardship Award for having the longest operating well in Nebraska and also received a Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award. Bill joined many other family members in his love for flying. He was a pilot of several of his own planes and enjoyed traveling the country with the Nebraska and International Flying Farmers. His passion for Haymaker and Husker sports was unmatched and he most enjoyed watching his grandchildren compete in all sports, but especially at State Track meets.

Survivors include; daughter Nancy (Chris) Henry of Cozad; son Douglas (Sherry) Vasey of Nashville, TN; sister Patricia (Al) Henderson of Boise, ID; sister-in-law Elinor Vasey of Sylvia, KS; sister-in-law Phyllis Bovee of Cozad and grandchildren Matthew Henry and Carly Henry of Lincoln, NE; Brett Vasey of Nashville, TN; Amanda Moore and Taylor Moore of Boise, ID. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Mary Jane; daughter Susan; sister Arlene Hart; sister Bette Green and brother Robert 'Bob' Vasey. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. A memorial has been established in his memory. Funeral services will be held Monday, December 9, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. at the Cozad Church of Christ on Newell. Burial will be in the Cozad Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, December 8, 2019 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Berryman Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.