William "Willie" F. Pittner, 91, of Minden, Nebraska, passed away Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Central Nebraska Veteran's Home in Kearney, where he lived for the last year. A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Minden with Rev. Evan Winter officiating. Inurnment with military honors will be held following the service at the Minden Cemetery. A memorial book signing will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, April 7, 2025 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Minden, with Rosary service at 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Willie's honor are kindly suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden.

William "Willie" Frederick Pittner was born May 25,1933 in Deaf Smith County, TX to Frederick and Ursula (Lueb) Pittner. Willie lost his father at an early age, so he had to leave school and help his mother at home. He was drafted to the United States Army in 1956 and served until 1958. He then took a job with an elevator company that brought him to Minden, NE where he met Sally Miller. They were united in marriage on June 11,1960. After they married, they moved to Hereford, TX for a short time then returned to Minden, NE, where the couple shared 59 years of marriage and raised their children. Upon returning, Willie took a job with his father-in-law at "Miller the Driller". In 1973, Willie and Sally bought a bar and grill and named it "Willies". For many years, the couple ran the business together. Willie farmed during the day and ran the bar at night. Willie was a contraption entrepreneur. If he needed something that was not available to buy, he would just make it. If you knew Willie, you knew he was very hard-headed and always on the go. Willie sat on the Kearney County board of Supervisors from 2009 to 2020. In his later years he enjoyed fishing with his son, Michael, and his friends. He also had a "green thumb" and a garden to show for it.

Those left to cherish his memory include his four sisters, Mildred (Prissy 99), Celestine (Jo 96), Gladys (Glady 94) and Mary Frances (Toddy 89); three children, Michael (Rachel) Pittner of Upland, NE, Danny (Jennifer) Pittner of Minden, NE, and Lisa (Mike) Vedder of Lincoln, NE; seven grandchildren, Kyran (Rachel) Pittner, Taylor (Jake) Dunn, Bailey Pittner, Jadeyn Pittner, Ely Pittner, Hunter Vedder, and Hayden Vedder; six great-grandchildren, Melody Hansen, Rosalie, Jaxon and Landry Dunn, Otto, and Oliver Pittner; as well as a host of extended relatives and close friends.

Willie was preceded in death by his wife, Sally; three children, Ricky, Sonya, and Greg; and many other family members and friends.

Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com .