Hastings resident, Francis William ‘Bill’ Farnham, 88, of 900 East ‘B’ St. Apt #109, died Sunday, August 8, 2004 at Perkins Pavilion, Good Samaritan Village.

Private family service with Masonic Rites will be Friday, August 13, 2004; 8:00 P.M. at Butler-Volland Chapel.

Services will be Saturday, August 14, 2004; 9:30 A.M. at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. William G. Nottage-Tacey officiating. Burial with Military Rites by Fort Riley Honor Guard, Fort Kiley, Kansas will be Saturday, August 14, 2004; 1:30 P.M. at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Lanham, Kansas with Rev. Harlan Brei officiating.

Mr. Farnham was born December 26, 1915 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada to George H. & Frances (Tyndall) Farnham. He attended school in Jamestown, North Dakota and graduated from Jamestown High School. He attended the University of Minnesota, where he studied electrical engineering and played football. He then played part of one season of professional hockey for the Chicago Black Hawks. He was employed by Gamble Skogmo until March of 1943, when he entered the United States Army Air Force. He was released from active duty on March 1, 1946 and returned to Gambles Skogmo where he continued working until retirement in January 1977, while living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He married Genevieve Elnor Jeffries on December 25, 1938 in Torrington, Wyoming. They enjoyed 45 years of marriage. Though there were no children, Bill played a vital role as surrogate father to Genevieve’s nieces and nephews, Betty (Jeffries) Mendoza, Gene Jeffries, Bob Jeffries and Judy (Jeffries) Heim. After retirement, Bill and Genevieve moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1979. After an extended illness, Genevieve passed away in October, 1983. He married Edith Watson of Hastings, Nebraska on June 1, 1985. At that time, they took up residence in Hastings. Bill enjoyed his new role as Dad to Edith’s daughter, Mary Hartman and grandpa to her three children, Matthew, Ryan and Sarah. Since moving to Hastings, Bill has been active in the First Presbyterian Church, Masonic Lodge #50, Scottish Rite and Tehama Shrine Temple and Elks Lodge #159.

Mr. Farnham was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Genevieve and his twin brother, George.

Survivors include,
Wife: Edith Farnham - Hastings, NE

Stepdaughter: Mary Hartman- Sutton Bay, MI

Step Grandchildren: Matthew Hartman - Sutton Bay, MI
Ryan Hartman - Sutton Bay, MI
Sarah Hartman - Sutton Bay, MI

Nieces & Spouse: Betty (Jeffries) & Richard Mendoza - Waverly, NE
Judy (Jeffries) & Doug Heim - Fremont, NE

Nephews & Spouse: Gene & Peg Jeffries - Waverly, NE
Bob & Gay Jeffries - Greenwood, NE

Great Nieces & Nephews: 9
Great-Great Nieces & Nephews: 11

Memorial may be given to First Presbyterian Church, 621 N. Lincoln, or  Tehama Shrine Temple Transportation fund, 411 N. Hastings, both in Hastings, Nebraska - 68901.

VISITATION: Wed. 8-11-04; 5pm-9pm
Thur. 8-12-04; 9am-9pm
Fri. 8-13-04; 9am-8pm with family receiving guests from 6pm-8pm.