William Armstrong Obituary

William Lynn Armstrong was born to Ted and Orella (Hoffman) Armstrong in Hastings, Nebraska on June 3, 1938. He departed from this world to meet his savior Jesus Christ on May 8, 2025, after injuries from a fall from a ladder. William (Bill) went to both grade and high school at Blue Hill Public schools and was graduated from Blue Hill High School in May 1956. Bill immediately began his lifelong career as a farmer and was the third- generation farmer to till the soil of the original Armstrong homestead located one mile east of Blue Hill. Bill's love for the land was instilled in him by his parents and his desire was to leave the land better than he found it for future generations.
Bill married the love of his life, Margaret Roberts, in the Blue Hill Methodist Church on June 7, 1959. While they had no children of their own, they were very influential in the lives of nieces, nephew, cousins and friends. Bill's love of family was a driving force in his life, and he was always looking forward to family gatherings. Bill's word was as good and straight as the day was long. Bill was active in the Blue Hill Methodist Church serving on the Church Council.
Bill was a successful businessman selling Pioneer Seed Products and won several Top Salesperson awards from that company. Bill sold different varieties of Nebraska Certified Wheat Seed and Pioneer Seeds for 16 years. Bill was also dedicated to the farm animal husbandry part of farming and developed a large herd of well-bred cattle with his father. Bill was proud of his military service having served with the Nebraska National Guard for 5 years in 1961 and was honorably discharged on September of 1967.
Bill enjoyed family pheasant and quail hunts with his favorite Winchester Sweet 16 shot gun and was also happy raising and hunting coon dogs with his father, friends and relatives. An additional hobby of Bill's was the restoration of Farmall tractors which had been used by his father and himself during their farming careers. The Farmall F-20, F-30, Super H, and Super M were his favorites. Bill spent many hours seeking out the tractors and restoring them to field-ready condition. In retirement Bill and Margaret enjoyed traveling with their camper to Estes Park, Branson, MO., Rapid City, SD, and Arizona. They spent many happy winters with friends in Lake Havasu, Az.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents Ted and Orella, an infant brother, his brother-in-law, Jerry Meyer, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is survived by his wife Margaret, sister-in-law Pat Meyer, his nephew Kurt Meyer and nieces Mia Hyde and Allisa Nichols, many cousins and dear friends.
Service will be Thursday, May 15, 2025, 10:30 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, Hastings, Nebraska with Pastor Ben Hanne officiating. Burial will be in the Blue Hill Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. with Military Rites by A.L. Shirley Post #176 and the Army National Guard Honor's Team. There will be no viewing or visitation as his wishes were to be cremated. Memorials may be given to Grace United Methodist Church of Hastings, Nebraska or Blue Hill United Methodist Church. The service will be live-streamed on Merten-Butler Mortuary's website. To view the service, go to William's obituary and click on the play button towards the bottom of the page. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mertenbutlermortuary.com. Merten-Butler Mortuary, Blue Hill, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements.
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