William "Bill" Putman, Jr. Obituary

William E. Putman Jr., age 90, loving husband, father, grandfather and great- grandfather went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, following a five-year battle with cancer, on Monday, September 20, 2021. He was born August 7, 1931, in Albion, Nebraska, the oldest of three children, to William E. Sr. and Marianne Putman.

As a child he loved to learn, hike the bluffs around Scottsbluff, play with his dog Tippy, go to church, make friends, and earn badges in the Boy Scouts. He became so dedicated to the Boy Scouts that he went on to become an Eagle Scout. In high school he enjoyed academics, playing football, basketball, and track. After high school he attended Scottsbluff Jr. college and he enjoyed being coached in football by his father. Bill was very proud of the fact that his father had attended a coaching clinic taught by the legendary Knut Rockne of Notre Dame where he learned many of the plays and coaching techniques that he used in his coaching.

Following Junior College, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force (1953) where he served as a pilot of KC-97 refueler tankers stationed in New Hampshire, Alabama, New Mexico, and Greenland. As 1st Lieutenant he was part of the 509th Bomb Wing and has enjoyed many reunions through the years. He then attended the University of New Mexico studying Mechanical Engineering where he earned his Master’s degree. In his final discharge in 1966 from the U.S. Air Force he had earned his rank of Captain.
While serving his country he met his wife, Gloria Stone at a 4-H dance while on leave back home in Scottsbluff. They were happily married for over 50 years and enjoyed raising their children, participating in the Carnegians (serving as national president), Civitans, New Comers Club, watching high school and college sports and in retirement, touring in the States and Canada in their RV, and traveling to Hawaii, Israel, and Europe. Bill had a strong bass voice and he loved to sing in Barbershop Quartets.
Bill, after UNM, worked for ACF in Albuquerque, NM. While there, he was hired by Los Alamos National Lab in Los Alamos, NM, working for the Department of Energy of the United States during the cold war. He retired completely in 1995 and moved to Las Cruces, NM.

Bill never met a stranger, he was one of the friendliest, most personable people one would ever meet. He adored his Gloria Ann (“Liz”), his two daughters (Vicky and Shari), and ten grandchildren. Throughout his life he loved the church. When he was young, he would go with his family which carried over to his college, Airforce, family, and retirement years. He has served in many capacities in his local churches, the Gideons, sang in choirs, attended Bible studies, various men’s groups, clowns for Christ, and prayer groups. He knew that he was saved by grace because he had repented of his sin and believed that Jesus Christ is Lord and that he would go to live with Him forever. This truth gave him hope, a hope he lived out in his daily life.

Survivors include two daughters Vicky Downs of Las Cruces, NM and Shari (Jesse) Taylor of Kadoka; grandchildren: Billy (Karina) Downs of Las Cruces, NM, Rebekah Taylor of Philip, Rachel (Jackson) Malcolm of Westcliffe, CO, Ruth Taylor of Westcliffe, CO, Jerald William (Danielle) Taylor of Laramie, WY, Jeremiah Taylor of Westcliffe, CO, and Hudson, Joy, Annie, and Jason Taylor of Kadoka; three great-grandchildren; his sister, Jeri (John) Neely of Ft. Collins, CO; brother-in-law Ted Hollinger of Lincoln, NE, and four nephews: Chip Hollinger, Jim Hollinger, Andy Neely, and Neil Neely.

He was preceded in death by his wife Gloria Ann Putman on September 4, 2005, his parents William Sr. and Marianne Putman, and sister Shirlea Ann Hollinger.

As his mountains of mail will attest, Bill would be delighted to know that your memorial gifts were given to your favorite Pro-Life or Conservative causes.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, September 30, at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka with Pastor Jesse Taylor officiating.

Interment with military honors will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, October 1, at the Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

Guest Book

Barbershop, Church choirs, public speaking, friend and family gatherings, Bill was involved, invested, concerned, care giver and confidant. Any who knew Bill counted him as friend. He leaves this world better for his involvement and Christian charity. We can honestly say we loved this God loving man.
~ Stan and Lyn Bennett Montana (9/24/2021)

Shari and family, your father packed a lot of living in his 90 years. What a blessing to the nation, his community, and his family! We are thinking of all of you, and you are in our prayers.
~ Justin and Joyce Wheeler 24208 Fairview Rd (9/24/2021)

I am praying for you all, the last few weeks have been a hard season of life. I will never for get your Papa Bills deep booming voice and laugh I could always pick him out. I am glad to have known him growing up and that he was apart of the Taylor Tribe. I love you all.
~ Courtney Gurule New Mexico (9/24/2021)

Uncle Bill was truly a great man.
We will always remember him as a very intelligent, humble and good man who cared about all of his family very deeply. We love you Uncle Bill!

~ Chip and Sook Hollinger Phoenix, AZ (10/1/2021)

NM
~ Linda G. Harris Las Cruces (9/24/2021)

Bill was so sweet. He was friendly and our family enjoyed talking and getting to know him the small amount of time that we could. He was precious and Heaven has gained a wonderful man. Praying for your comfort and peace as you all go through the emotions of missing him.
~ McKeehans Kadoka (9/24/2021)

Bill was the first person who made an impression on me when I first walked into Morning Star UMC in 2009. He was so friendly and welcoming - just a delight to meet and get to know over the years. He still makes me smile when I think of him, a true Child of God. Prayers of comfort and peace to his family and all who knew and loved him.
~ Margaret Jorgensen Las Cruces, NM (9/29/2021)

I can certainly testify to Bill's "Welcoming spirit." He and Gloria were so generous to my late-wife, Rosalie, and me when we first came to Las Cruces! Over the years I was often sitting beside Bill in the "bass section" of choir & the "Morning Star Singers" at Sagecrest Nursing Center and across the table from him at Men's Bible Study (after which he often rode with me to Village Inn or Chillitoes).
~ Wesley Boots Las Cruces, NM (9/24/2021)

Bill was a kind and very generous man, who loved his family very much. I remember staying in his home in Las Cruces with a bunch of teenage girls and a couple of women besides Shari, his daughter. We were enroute to build a church in Mexico. He graciously tolerated the chatter and laughter and checked on the guys staying at his church. He seemed unruffled and smiled! I will miss that smile, and talking to him. Rest in peace in the Lord's presence, Bill, and enjoy being reunited with your beloved wife, Gloria!

~ Leilani Christensen White Rock, NM (9/30/2021)

R.I.P. Bill. I will miss your smile and your joyful hello. Our heart felt condolences to Jesse, Shari, and family. Soar high with angels sir. It was an honor to know you.
~ William Brown Kadoka, SD (9/23/2021)

We were so privileged to make the acquaintance of Bill. He so enjoyed being with the kids and loved hearing them laugh and making them smile. We enjoyed visiting with him and seeing that smile light up his face. He will be missed and our hearts go out to you, his family.
~ Brad and Shawna Roghair Family Okaton, SD (9/24/2021)

Wanblee, SD 57577

~ Marilyn Jorgensen 21000 sd hwy 44 (9/27/2021)

I was blessed to meet with Bill in Gideons for several years. He was a dedicated Christian and a delight to visit.
~ Eldon Steelman Las Cruces, NM (9/25/2021)

Bill was my cousin and I thought he was such a fine and good man! He was one in a million!
~ Sue Knox Van Osdel Fargo, North Dakota (9/27/2021)

Prayers and virtual hugs to Bill's family and friends. Know that he is still with you in spirit, keep alive the good memories, and know he has found peace.
~ Barbara Massachusetts (9/23/2021)

So many fond memories of Bill during my years as his pastor in Las Cruces. Such great times with him at the Tuesday morning Bible Study group (and breakfasts after - he always ordered his eggs basted!). Prayers of comfort for family and friends.
~ Rev. Jon Moore Albuquerque, NM (9/27/2021)

William "Bill" Putman, Jr.

of Kadoka, South Dakota formerly of Las Cruces and Los Alamos, New Mexico, died on Monday, September 20, 2021
at his daughter's home in Kadoka surrounded by family at the age of 90

Service Details

Guest Book

Flowers

William "Bill" Putman, Jr.

of Kadoka, South Dakota formerly of Las Cruces and Los Alamos, New Mexico, died on Monday, September 20, 2021 at his daughter's home in Kadoka surrounded by family at the age of 90

Service Details

Guest Book

Flowers

of Kadoka, South Dakota formerly of Las Cruces and Los Alamos, New Mexico, died on Monday, September 20, 2021
at his daughter's home in Kadoka surrounded by family at the age of 90