William L. "Bill" Assarsson

William “Bill” Lee Assarsson was born in Ainsworth, NE on April 4, 1960, the son of Clifford and Virginia (Fox) Assarsson, and passed away January 7, 2025 at the Rock County Hospital in Bassett, NE.

 As a small boy Bill enjoyed wearing cowboy boots and western shirts, and loved going on cattle drives with Grandpa Fox. He later traded the western look for a good pair of bib overalls and a t-shirt “because it was comfortable.”

 Bill got his early education in Brewster, NE, then later moved with his family south of Ainsworth attending country school (District #55), graduating from 8th grade. He entered Ainsworth High School as a freshman and graduated with the Class of ’78. He was active in both 4-H and FFA and thoroughly enjoyed showing livestock and range judging.

During high school, Bill worked construction installing grain bins. After high school, Bill started working in the office for Farmers-Ranchers Coop. It may have been there that Bill found his love for driving truck. He loved to visit with customers and made many friends while working there. Bill later enjoyed the life of a truck driver, seeing many miles from the view of a windshield. Bill had an extraordinary gift for always being able to bring his loaded truck home safely, much to the joy of his loved ones. Bill loved to ride motorcycles when he was younger and shared many enjoyable trips on the bike with his friends.

Bill married Deb Strand on June 27, 1979, resulting in 45 plus years of friendship and marriage. Together, Bill and Deb raised four boys, Josh, Lee, Amos and Festus. While Bill never had a daughter, he was blessed when he got the daughter-in-law of his dreams in Brooke. Bill enjoyed cooking, loved a good meal and knew all the best places to eat while on the road. When the boys were young, he would make his “Million Dollar Stew” and all the neighborhood kids would come over wondering what was in Bill’s stew this week. He never made it the same way twice.

 Bill had a wonderful contagious laugh and always had a way of making people smile and share that laughter. He never knew a stranger and was always willing to help if he could. He may have been a little stubborn, but he was oh, so loved by his friends and family. Bill knew heartache and had his share of trials, but he always “kept on trucking.” Many people will miss his frequent phone calls just to “BS” a little, especially his brother, who rarely had a conversation where it wasn’t discussed who was Mom’s favorite.

 Bill is preceded in death by sons, Lee and Amos Assarsson; grandparents, Jim & Gaythel Fox and Fred & Ruth Assarsson; father-in-law, Shep Strand; step-father, Terry Oman; and extended family Brett and Dallas Smith. Bill is survived by his wife, Deb Assarsson of Bassett; sons, Josh Assarsson of Sioux Falls, SD and Festus Assarsson of Bassett; daughter-in-law, Brooke Assarsson of Ainsworth; parents, Clifford (Pauline) Assarsson of Ainsworth and Virgina Oman of Norfolk, NE; mother-in-law, Elizabeth Strand of Ainsworth; brother, Clinton (Becky) Assarsson of Valentine, NE; cousin, James Fox of Brewster; along with many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

 Funeral Services were held on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at the Hoch Funeral Home in Ainsworth with Pastor Jake Schadel officiating. The CD Selections “I’ll Fly Away” and “Old Rugged Cross” by Alan Jackson were played. Register Book Attendants were Vicki Condon and Festus Assarsson. Special remarks were given by Charlotte Lewis. Casketbearers were Marcus Lewis, Seth Anderson, Dallas Ulibarri, Chris Myers, Dave Simons, Monte Pirnie and Colby Grupe. Honorary Casketbearers were All of Bill’s Other Family and Friends. Interment followed at the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials were suggested to the family in Bill’s name. Hoch Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements and online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.

Sons: Josh Assarsson of Sioux Falls, SD