William “Bill” John Lorenz passed away peacefully, at home, in the early hours of June 10, 2025. Bill served as a model of living every day with purpose and intention to help others, even in his last years. He had recently celebrated his 81st birthday surrounded by family and friends.
Bill was born May 31, 1944, in Lincoln, to Idella and Joseph Lorenz along with twin sister, Irene. He graduated from Wilber High School after three years at Crete High School, during a time when rural school districts were determining where students would attend high school.
Bill was always a proponent of education and learning. He attended District 31 as a child where his father and grandfather had served on the school board. He attended St. James Catholic School, Crete Public Schools and Wilber Public Schools. Bill served on the Crete school board for 25 years retiring from the board in 2024.
As a member of Sacred Heart Church, he served as a lector and acolyte and volunteered time with the Knights of Columbus and the cemetery board. Bill was always willing and tried to help others in any way that he could.
A lifelong farmer, Bill partnered with neighbors, his brothers and oldest son, Brian, in farming the family homestead which has been owned by the Lorenz family for 100 years. He was active in Exeter Feeders & Breeders, Saline County Pork Producers, was a long-time NC+ Seed Dealer, and a founding member of the Crete FFA Alumni Association. He “retired” from farming at age 78, but continued to help as he was able.
Bill married Barbara Ann Budler on Feb. 1, 1969, and enjoyed 56 years of celebrations. Together they raised five children and is a proud grandfather to 12 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. Foremost in his life was serving others, his family, being on the farm and taking part in his grandchildren’s activities. He and Barb enjoyed traveling and they loved dancing to polkas whenever there was an opportunity.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Idella and Joseph Lorenz; siblings, Ronald Lorenz and Dorothy Lorenz Cubrich Shell; and his son, Christopher Lorenz.
Bill is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Brian (Debbie) of Crete; Jill (Russ) Goodrich of Amarillo, Texas, Teresa (Jim) Wissenburg of Crete; and Mark (Bobbi) of Broken Bow; grandchildren include Taylor (Dalton) Steelman and Austin Lorenz, Katie (fiancé Logan Newman), Ryan, Grant, and Clay Goodrich, Amber, Autumn, Jay, Christopher and Hunter Wissenburg, and Isaak Lorenz. Other survivors include his siblings, twin Irene Kearney of Lincoln, Robert Lorenz of Crete, Joan (Ken) Stuhr of Petersburg, Virginia (Bud) Hummel of Waverly, Joyce (Gordon) Moeller of Gering, Mary Jo Lorenz of Denver, Colorado, Leona Vocasek of Lincoln, and Dan (Cheryl) Lorenz of Friend; Fr. Bernard Lorenz of McCook; and sister-in-law, Judy Lorenz of Lincoln. He also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and other wonderful family members, friends and neighbors.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, June 16, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church with Father Bernard Lorenz and Father Christopher Stoley officiating. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the church or to the family for later designation.
Arrangements by Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete.
