William "Bill" J. Hamm

William “Bill” J. Hamm, 90 years of age, of Beatrice, passed away Sunday, January 3, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society in Beatrice. He was born on September 9, 1925 in Beatrice to William and Hattie (Bergmann) Hamm. He graduated from Holmesville High School. Bill married Helen Irene Claassen on November 14, 1947 at the Beatrice Mennonite Church in Beatrice. He was a lifetime dairy farmer and active in the church, community and on school board. Bill was a member of the First Mennonite Church, Holstein Association and a longtime 4-H leader. He enjoyed farming, riding horses, attending cattle shows and sales, playing cards and especially spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bill is survived by 3 daughters, Judy Christensen of Wilmington, Deleware, Janet Lubbers of Peabody, Kansas, Diane Hardtarfer and husband Mike of Newton, Kansas; son, Jim Hamm and special friend Holly Warner of Beatrice; son-in-law, Donald Brandt of Beatrice; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, T.J. Christensen and wife Jamie and their sons, Brandon and Zachary, Patrick Christensen, Aric Brandt and wife Toni and their children, Zane, Caliber and Graysha, Alicyn Dungan and husband Andrew, Adrian Brandt and wife Cara, LeAnna Wohlgemuth and husband Morgan and their children, Gage and Cord, Anna Lubbers, Amber Randall and husband Mike and their children, Jackson and Madison; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Helen Irene Hamm on November 16, 2015; daughter, Phyllis Brandt; sister, Ruth Esau; and a brother, Edgar Hamm.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, January 8, 2015 at the First Mennonite Church west of Beatrice with Pastor Brett Klingenberg officiating. Interment will be at 10:30 AM Friday in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9 AM to 9 PM with family greeting friends from 5:30 to 7:30 PM Thursday, January 7, 2015 at Harman-Wright Mortuary in Beatrice. In lieu of flowers, a memorial is suggested to the Gage County 4-H Council and the Mennonite Central Committee with Bill Goossen and Louie Esau in charge. Harman-Wright Mortuary in Beatrice in charge of arrangements.

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