William Nilges

William Lee "Bill" Nilges, age 69, of Freeburg, departed this life on Thursday, October 8, 2015, in the University Hospital and Clinics, Columbia. He was born on September 26, 1946, at Freeburg, a son of William Ballsar Sr. and Catherine (Bock) Nilges. Mr. Nilges was united in marriage on September 20, 1975, at Freeburg to the former Miss Nancy Ann Haller and to this union, three children were born. Mr. Nilges was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church, Freeburg. He was a United States Army veteran; a member of the Paul A. Hasenbeck Memorial American Legion Post No. 317, Freeburg; the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8045, Argyle; the Knights of Columbus Council No. 9700, Freeburg; and the Freeburg Lions Club. Mr. Nilges had worked for Herman Kempker Construction and as maintenance manager for the State of Missouri retiring in 2001. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, building things, gardening, canning, and spoiling his grandchildren. Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Nilges include: his wife, Nancy Nilges of the home in Freeburg; one son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Ginger Nilges, Bland; two daughters and two sons-in-law, Sara and Travis Luebbert, Westphalia and Jennifer and Rodney Kampeter, Freeburg; three sisters, Barbara Nilges, Jefferson City; Georgia DeBroeck, Mansfield, Texas; and Mary Hoffman, Freeburg; three grandchildren, Kaitlyn Luebbert, Isaac Luebbert, and Addison Kampeter with twins expected soon; Chris's three step-children, Summer Buechter, Alicia Massman, and Michael Kneeskern; his father-in-law, Albert Haller, Freeburg; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, William on March 18, 1970; his mother, Catherine on March 26, 1971; two brothers, Victor Nilges on November 24, 2000 and Ben Nilges in June 2005; and one sister, Dorothy Gertrude Iven on June 17, 2013. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Sunday, October 11, 2015, with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m., and 9 - 10 a.m., Monday, October 12, 2015, all in the Holy Family Catholic Church, Freeburg. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Mr. Nilges at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 12, 2015, in the Holy Family Catholic Church, Freeburg, with the Rev. William D. Debo celebrating. Interment will be in the Holy Family Cemetery, Freeburg. Masses or memorials are suggested to the Holy Family School, Freeburg, and are preferred by the family with envelopes available at the Holy Family Church or the Vienna Office of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be left at birminghammartinfuneralhomes.com