William B. "Bill" Neill

William E. "Bill" Neill, 84, Nevada, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008, at Barone Alzheimer's Care Center in Nevada following a lengthy illness. He was born July 19, 1923, in Modena, Mo., to Byron Allen Neill and Ona Hickman Neill. He married Harriet Ellen Hargrove on Nov. 10, 1946, in Columbus, Kan. She preceded him in death on Oct. 7, 2002.

Bill was born and raised in Modena. He graduated from high school in Princeton, Mo. Bill served in the United States Navy during World War II. He was stationed in the Philippines on a mine sweeper ship. Following the war, he came to Nevada where he farmed all his life. He worked for Double Cola for a number of years, Ames Grain Elevator and then later owned and operated the Metz Grain Elevator. Bill then worked as a field representative for Kraft Foods until his retirement in 1976. He continued to farm and raised cattle, pigs, horses and mules.

Survivors include two daughters, Connie McHugh, Nevada, and Bonnie Mitchell and her husband Tom, Centralia, Wash.; one son, Billy Neill and Nancy Vienneau, Nashville, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Robin McHugh, Nevada, Padraic McHugh and his fiance Kim Long, LaCenter, Wash., Casey McHugh and his wife Leann, Wichita, Kan., and Anna Ohl and her husband Jason, Pensacola, Fla.; two step-granddaughters, Monica Greer, Des Moines, Iowa, and Madeleine Short, Atlanta, Ga.; two great-grandsons, Devin McHugh, Nevada, and Brogan McHugh, Wichita; two step-great-granddaughters, Emily and Sydnie Greer, Des Moines; one sister, Laurie Bennett, Red Bluff, Calif., and two brothers, R.E. Neill, Gower, Mo., and Butch Neill, Trenton, Mo. He was preceded in death by one brother, Hubert Neill; two sisters, Twila Dorland and Nadine Moore; his wife, Harriet, and one son-in-law, Joe McHugh.

Memorial services with military honors was be held at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, Jan. 26, at St. Paul Lutheran Church with pastor Kim Osborn officiating. Family visitation followed the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Alzheimer's Association or the Mr. Mac Scholarship Fund in care of the Nevada High School in memory of William Neill.

The obituary may be viewed and condolences may be sent online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com