COLUMBUS — William “Bill” A. Gannon, 65, of Columbus, passed away at his home in Columbus on Monday, January 14, 2013, surrounded by his loved ones. Bill had been courageously battling Multiple Myeloma since his cancer diagnosis in September of 2011.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, January 18, 2013, at 10 a.m. at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church with Father Steve Emanuel celebrating the Mass. Interment will be in the All Saints Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the church with a vigil service at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that gifts be made to a memorial fund set up through First Nebraska Bank of Columbus. This fund will benefit the things most dear to Bill: church, education and the battle against cancer.

Bill and his wife, Ann, have called Columbus and St. Bonaventure Catholic Church home since 1997. William was born on July 6, 1947, in Kearney, to Emmett and Yvonne (Nelson) Gannon of Holdrege.

Bill graduated from Holdrege High School in 1965, he attended Kearney State College where he graduated in 1970 with an education degree in mathematics. Bill went on to pursue a M. Ed. in School Administration and a Specialist of Education Degree in Administration which he completed at the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 1984.

A lifelong educator, Bill spent time as a teacher at Kearney Catholic High School ’70-72, Waverly High School ’72-78, and most recently at Schuyler Community Schools ’06-12. Bill held administrative positions at Scotus Central Catholic ’78-84, Kenesaw Public Schools ’84-87, Laurel-Concord Public Schools ’87-95, Alliance Public Schools ’95-97, and a second time at Scotus ’97-06.

Bill was extremely active in the community, serving on the St. Bonaventure parish board, Columbus parks and recreation board, and Central Community College Board of Governors. Bill was part of the Chamber Commodores, Columbus Collaborative Team, Phi Delta Kappa and Nebraska Council of School Administrators. He was also active in the local Knights of Columbus council, CEC men’s prayer group, and St. Bon’s men’s choir. In addition to these activities, Bill filled his time coaching, golfing and cheering for the Yankees.

Bill found his greatest joys in being a husband, father, and grandfather. He filled much of his life attending activities and events of his children. William is survived by his wife, of 42 years, Ann (Mendenhall); son, Chris, and wife, Katie, of Omaha, and their daughter, Adison; daughter, Elllie, and husband, Aaron Haag, of Lincoln, and son, Drew, of Omaha; his brother, Dick, and wife, Cherie, of Holdrege; brother, Bob, and wife, Kerry, of Kearney; sister, Becky, of Aurora; and sister, Barb, and husband, Jim, of Denver; additionally he is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and additional family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Emmett; and mother, Yvonne, of Holdrege.

Gass Haney Funeral Home
2109 14th Street
Columbus, NE 68601
402-564-5227