William E. Bill Bush

William Emerson (Bill) Bush of Edgar, Nebraska passed away at his home on Sunday, December 1st 2019.  Bill was born to William and Jean (Marks) Bush on April 10th, 1953 in Topeka, Kansas.  As military families do, Bill’s family moved many times during his childhood. In 1965, the family moved to Edgar, NE where Bill attended Edgar Elementary School and later graduated from Sandy Creek High School in 1972. 

Anyone who knew Bill, knew there was no one who worked harder or longer than he did.  Bill began his career working for Bob Shuck of Shuck Engineering and Gordie Shuck of Shuck’s Body Shop, throughout junior high and high school.  It was toward the end of high school that Bill received an invitation to visit Niobrara State Park and spend time with friends. He and his buddies headed north in Bill’s GTO for a quick weekend camping trip.  As it happened during this trip, Bill caught the eye of a young lady from Niobrara, driving around the park in her Chevy Nova with girlfriends.  This trip and Bill meeting Rosalind Krupicka marked the beginning of an incredible love story that lasted 48 years and continues through the love of their family.   

After high school, Bill relocated to Vermillion, South Dakota to continue sharpening the autobody skills he later perfected.  While in Vermillion, Bill worked at Mart’s Body Shop and Rozie was attending college in Columbus, NE. The couple married in Niobrara, NE June 16th, 1973.  As the couple began to plan for their future, they decided to return to Edgar, NE in the beginning of 1975.  Upon returning to Edgar, the couple worked together at Shuck’s Body Shop where Rozie worked in the office and Bill managed the shop.

On October 24th, 1976 the couple welcomed the first of three children – Jeromie.  Bill also celebrated the beginning of his tradition to purchase a motorcycle each time Rozie had a child.  Bill always said, “Rozie got a toy, so I got a toy!” Congratulations were had by all!  As the calendar turned to August, 1977 the young couple purchased Shuck’s Body Shop and renamed it, South Central Body Shop.  Bill and Rozie continued to work side by side to grow their business.  Their hard work and perseverance led to the couple opening Edgar Motor Company later that year. 

The 1980’s were a busy time for Bill & Roz as their businesses, family and motorcycle collection continued to grow.  August 28th, 1980 the couple welcomed their second child, a beautiful baby girl they named Samantha.   And as Bill would tell you… Her name is Samantha, not Sam.  The young family enjoyed spending time with friends and family when there was time outside of work.  They were busy and life was good.  April 5th of 1983 welcomed the couple’s third child, a son they named Brian.  Life continued on and in 1988, Bill and Roz made the decision to sell South Central Body Shop in order to focus their time and energy on family and building Edgar Motor Company and the couple’s legacy.

Bill was always ahead of his time (business wise, not fashion but that’s another story for another time).  He knew there was an opportunity for growth entering the mobile car crushing industry.  The couple added this service and were quickly successful, but that was no surprise.  Bill had that magic touch and a head for business.  As time passed, the couple began to consider the future and what life might be after work was done.  The couple made the decision to sell Edgar Motor Company to their eldest son, Jeromie.  It was after all, a family business and Bill was proud to be able to share his love for the company with his son.  Rozie stayed on to continue her work in the office and Bill tried his hand at the retired life.  Finally, one thing Bill Bush couldn’t do… Retire! 

Bill stayed busy tinkering in his shop, buying & selling cars, spending time with family and friends, and most importantly finding new things he thought Rozie should be doing.  The couple continued to travel with their camper and enjoyed taking motorcycle trips across the country.  Bill spent time hunting and fishing with his grandchildren and teaching them how to not be “city kids”.  Bill’s greatest love and joy was his family and especially being Papa to his three grandchildren, Logan, Grayson & Emerson Ann.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William D. and Jean (Marks) Bush and his sister-in-law, Phylis (Mars) Crowell.

Bill is survived by his wife, Rosalind A. (Krupicka) Bush of Edgar, NE.  His sons, Jeromie W. Bush of Hershey, NE and Brian E. Bush & Anne Gilligan (and Anne’s son Brendan) of Lincoln, NE. Daughter, Samantha A. (Bush) Beaubier of Lincoln, NE.  and Grandchildren, Logan J. Beaubier, Grayson W. Beaubier and Emerson A. Beaubier of Lincoln, NE.  Sister, Sherlene M. Stolley (Robert) of Lincoln, NE and Brother, Dennis R. Crowell & Leolla Davis of Ravenna, NE. Brothers-in-Law Russell (Carol) Krupicka of David City, NE and Ronald (Liz) Krupicka of Niobrara, NE.  Many nieces, nephews, other beloved family members and a host of friends.

Memorial services were Saturday 10:30 am December 7, 2019 at the Williams Funeral Home Chapel in Edgar, NE.  Pastor Brian Faust officiated.  Inurnment was in the Edgar Cemetery, Edgar, NE. 

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be directed to Patriot Riders/Edgar Fire Department/Edgar American Legion.  

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