William Conroy

William “Bill” Martin Conroy of McCook died Friday, June 29, 2007 at McCook Community Hospital. He was 80 years old.

Bill was born in McCook to Laurence Phillip and Catherine Mary (Kennedy) Conroy on May 16, 1927. He entered the National Guard in 1948 and served with the 128th Engineering Battalion. He was honorably discharged in 1954.

On June 2, 1953, he married Anita Catherine Sides at the St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Indianola. To this union six children were born. They made their home on a farm north of Bartley. Bill farmed for 29 years in the Dry Creek neighborhood; he worked at Dayco; he was owner and operator of “Bill Conroy and Sons Machine Shop”; and was a custodian for St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and School for 18 years until his retirement.

Bill was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and the Knight’s of Columbus. In his free time he loved wood working and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Laurence and Catherine Conroy; one brother, John Conroy; sister-in-law, Bertilla Conroy; nephew, Tony Conroy; nieces, Camilla Russell and Theresa Walters; and three foster grandchildren Susie and Mike Sprague and Allen Simms.

Survivors include his wife of over 54 years, Anita Conroy of McCook; six children, Geri and husband, Bob Burns, of McCook, Steve Conroy and wife, Sharon, of Indianola, Marty Conroy and wife, Joyce, of McCook, Jim Conroy and wife, Kim, of Papillion, Lisa and husband, Craig Hendricks, of Omaha and Mari Jo and husband, Sean Mulligan, of Lake Havasu City, AZ; one brother, Tom Conroy of McCook; four sisters, Catherine “Trudi” Conroy and Ellen and husband, Loren Griffin, all of McCook, Rosemarie “Toots” Russell of Arvada, CO and Mary Lou and husband, Bob Endres, of Greeley, CO; 11 grandchildren, Chris and Amy Burns, Jessica and Nate Dickes, Becky Burns, Scott Burns, Sean and RaeAnn Conroy, Stephenie Conroy, Caitlyn and Christian Conroy, Andy, William and Katy Conroy; four step-grandchildren, Jessica and Brian Keen, Ashley and David Martins and Megan and Jon Hendricks; three great-grandchildren, Finley Conroy, Emmitt Dickes and Robert Burns; two step-great-grandchildren, Emma Martins and Taelyn Tedrow; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be given in his name.

Rosary was Monday, July 2, 2007, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Father Ferdinand Boehme officiating. Mass of Christian Burial was Tuesday, July 3, 2007, 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Father Gary Brethour as Celebrant. Burial took place in St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Indianola.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook was in charge of the arrangements.

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