William L. Diercks
William L. Diercks
Funeral services for William L. Diercks, 66, of Chadron, Neb., were held Saturday, April 20, 1991 at 10 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Rushville, Neb., with Rev. Sharee Kelley officiating. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery.
Diercks died Tuesday, April 16, 1991, at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home in Hay Springs, Neb., after a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease and cancer.
He was born Nov. 1, 1924 to William and Louise (Franck) Diercks in Hay Springs. His family lived on several farms in the area during his childhood. He graduated from Hay Springs High School in 1942 and attended Chadron State College until 1944 when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served from 1944 to 1946, chiefly in Japan and the South Pacific.
After his military service, he returned to the Panhandle area and worked for his father at the Gordon salebarn. He returned to Chadron State College where he was a three-sport letterman under Coach Ross Armstrong.
Upon receiving his degree, he began a life-long career in education. He married Maxine Dykes, daughter of John and Yvonne Dykes, on Aug. 10, 1952, in Rushville. They then moved to Sargent, Neb., for two years. Following this, he moved to Manderson, Wyo., where he taught history and physical education until 1959.
He received and M.S. in administration from Chadron State College in 1959, and he took the position of Superintendent of Schools at Manderson, Wyo., in 1961.
He remained at Manderson nearly 30 years, serving as both principal and superintendent. In the 1970s he was appointed to the Wyoming High School Activities Association.
In 1981, he and Maxine moved to Chadron. In 1984, he was elected to the Chadron State Hall of Fame, an honor he cherished greatly.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine, and his parents. Survivors include two sons, Ross of Lusk, Wyo. and Rod of Henderson, Neb.; a brother, Franck of Gordon, Neb.; a sister, Margaret Diercks of Thermopolis, Wyo. and two grandchildren, William and Dyann Diercks, both of Lusk.
A memorial has been established for Pioneer Manor Nursing Home. Donations may be sent to Abbott Bank in Chadron.
Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron was in charge of arrangements.