Willis (Bill) Renter passed away on April 25, 2024, at the Chimney Rock Villa in Bayard, NE. He was 98 years old. Per his wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held at 2pm on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at Bridgman Funeral Home in Scottsbluff. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Bill’s memory are invited to make a donation to the High Plains Honor Flight at P.O. Box 363, Ault, CO 80610. Online condolences may be made by viewing Bill’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com. Bridgman Family Funeral Home in Scottsbluff is entrusted with arrangements.
Bill was born February 26, 1926, in Sioux City, IA to Walter and Emily (Heimbecker) Renter. He attended high school in Lincoln, NE and was enrolled in the University of Nebraska for two years. Bill joined the Army when he was 16 years old and served in World War II from April 1942 – February 1946, achieving the rank of T5. During his service he survived being shot two different times.
Following his return home from the war, Bill held a variety of jobs. He worked for a dry cleaner, tailoring business, auto shop, and construction company. For a while he was the proud owner of a bar and grill in Ogallala called, Sip & Sizzle. He even tried his hand at farming. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, woodworking and watching/reading westerns.
In May 2022, Bill was a guest on the High Plains Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. where he visited the national memorials with other veterans. He was one of two World War II veterans on that flight. The experience was one that he treasured.
Bill is survived by his special friend, Myrna McCabe; his brother, Kenneth Renter (Pat); special friends he adopted in his heart as family, Oscar and Myrna Olivarez, CJ and Sarah McCabe (Cooper and Breyer), Jeff and Katie Langmacher, and Kevin and Bobbi Jo Langmacher.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Walter Renter; sister, Mabel Crume; and his first wife, Dorthy (Kramer) Renter.