Paul D. Brixius, 81, passed away Sunday, April 12, 2015 at Good Samaritan Health Care Center.

Paul was born in Alliance, Nebraska on February 12, 1934.  His parents were Peter and Sylvia (Westlake) Brixius.

He spent his early life in Alliance and on the family farm and attending school.  When Paul graduated from Alliance High School in 1952 he joined the United States Navy.  He served for four years on an ice breaker in Alaska and an ammo carrier that went to Korea, Guam and Japan.  When he returned, he married the girl of his dreams, Marilyn Sterkel on June 6, 1956 at Scottsbluff.  He was then honorably discharged and he and Marilyn lived in the Alliance area.

In 1961 they moved to California and Paul began a career in sheet metal.  In 1975 Paul and his son opened their own shop and were highly successful.  He kept his shop until his retirement in 1998.  Paul and his family loved to travel all over the country camping, fishing and dirt bike riding.

He was a member of the Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church and the V.F.W.

He is survived by his children, Debra Brixius of Lancaster, California and Paul (Laura) Brixius of Batesville, Arkansas; 10 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild; his brothers, Casper (Janice) Brixius and Jack (Linda) Brixius, all of Alliance; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his sister Doris.

Graveside services with military rites will be held Friday, April 17 at 2:00 p.m. at the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance.  Reverend’s Martin T. Schnare and Richard C. Mueller will officiate.  Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday, April 16 from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Memorials may be given to the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance or the Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.  Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.