William (Bill) Jorgensen, III, 68, of Minden passed away Sunday, January 1, 2017 at Long Term Care. A gathering for family and friends will be Thursday, January 5th from 5-7 pm at Craig Funeral Home in Minden. A celebration of life service will be held at 3:00 pm January 6, 2017 with Pastors Baron and Nancy Cole officiating at Fredericksburg Lutheran Church in Minden. Burial will follow at the church cemetery with Military Rites provided by Minden American Legion and the Heartwell VFW. Memorials may be given to the family.

Bill was born December 29, 1948 to William Jr. and Merriebelle (Clabaugh) Jorgensen in Minden where he was raised and lived most of his life. He graduated from Minden High School in 1967. On May 23, 1970, he married Connie Frerichs. After he received his degree in the Diesel Mechanic program at Central Community College in 1968, he worked at International Harvester for a few months before getting the call to serve his country. He served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971. He served abroad in Germany for the majority of his military career. After returning stateside, he worked in farming and later joined the Minden Public Schools Support Staff as a custodian. Bill enjoyed assistant coaching the pole vault and the cross-country team for the Minden Whippets. He also coached the Minden swim team. In 1990, Bill was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease but continued to be involved with his coaching and sponsoring activities. In spite of his disability, he instilled in his athletes a "although you may struggle, never give up" attitude. He was involved with the Lion's Club, a member of Fredericksburg Lutheran Church, and a member of the American Legion. He loved playing cards, fishing, flying kites, watching Husker football, and being with his friends and family. He entered Long Term Care in 2013 where he enjoyed music, socializing, and wise-cracking with the staff.

Bill is survived by his wife of 46 years; daughters Elizabeth (Libby) Holsten and husband Jason, of Minden; Calli Cardenas and husband Joel, of Kearney; and Merri Stefka and husband Bradley, of Omaha; grandchildren Bryson, Kaden, Rylan, and Jaxon Holsten, Chance and Alexis Long, Dante, Natalia, Olivia, and Augustine Cardenas, and Dane and Heath Stefka; mother Merribelle Jorgensen, brothers Michael and Douglas Jorgensen, sister Pamela Donley; brothers-in-law Tom Frerichs and Richard Pesek, mother-in-law Urva Lou Frerichs; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, William Jorgensen, Jr., sister Debra Pesek; brothers-in-law Ross L. Ross and Tom Donley, and father-in-law Fritz Frerichs.