Billie Don Paden, 95 years, of Fremont, NE, a kind man with a generous heart was called home on Sunday, November 12, 2017. Billie Don was born May 24, 1922 in Rogers, NE to Preston and Clara (Reed) Paden.

Bill graduated as valedictorian from North Bend High School in 1940. While he was attending Midland Lutheran College, he left to serve in World War II in the Army Air Corps. He returned to Midland and graduated in 1946. Before beginning his teaching/coaching career, he married his college sweetheart, Eva R. Zessin, on June 6, 1946 in Fremont. They began their thirty-eight year marriage in Paxton, NE where Bill coached all sports and taught. In 1960, they continued their educational journey in North Bend, NE where Bill was principal and later superintendent of the district. In 1968, they moved to McCook, where he was principal of the high school. Their last move was to Fremont where he worked for Midland for several years. He received post graduate degrees from Northern Colorado University and UNL. In 1984, he lost Eve to cancer and became semi-retired.

Bill married Lois Peterson on May 16, 1992 and they began their retirement journey. He continued his love of reading, golfing, enjoying the wildlife on the lake, and seeing his grandchildren. He was always known to be watching and supporting Midland and Husker sports events, as well as his beloved Royals. He was a member of Sinai Lutheran Church in Fremont, North Bend Masonic Lodge #119 A.F. and A.M. and American Legion Post #20.

He is survived by his wife, Lois of Fremont; son, Dr. Steve (Deb) Paden and daughter, Sheri Paden all of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren, Ben (Reyna-Marie) Dubisar of Tuscon, AZ, Kelly Dubisar of San Francisco, CA, and Stephanie Paden of Lincoln; great grandchild, Marchant Dubisar of Tuscon. He is also survived by Lois’s family, sons, Steve (Sandy) Peterson and Lynn (Ginny) Peterson, both of Omaha, NE; daughters, Jan (Skip) Stout of Broken Arrow, OK and Mary (Brody) Choy of San Francisco, CA; fourteen grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, November 17, 2017 at Sinai Lutheran Church in Fremont, NE. Visitation will be held Thursday from 5 PM to 7 PM at Moser Memorial Chapel in Fremont and Friday one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial with Military Honors will be at Memorial Cemetery in Fremont, NE.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Sinai Lutheran Church and Midland University.

Originally published in the Fremont Tribune on November 13, 2017.