William Miles Melcher

William “Bill” Miles Melcher

March 4, 1956 – June 16, 2025

William “Bill” Miles Melcher was the kind of guy who could fix just about anything—except maybe how much he’d be missed.

Born March 4, 1956, in Valentine, Nebraska, to Jim and Merle Marie Melcher, Bill’s life began on the open range of the Sandhills. He was baptized a few weeks later at St. Joan of Arc in Brownlee on March 25, 1956, and received his First Holy Communion on October 7, 1963. He was later confirmed in his faith on March 19, 1978, at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury.

In 1965, Bill and his family left the Sandhills life behind to take on a new adventure—running the Grand Motel in Chadron, Nebraska. That spirit of reinvention continued in 1971 when they moved again to Fairbury after purchasing the Capri Hotel. Bill graduated from Fairbury High School in 1975, where he stood out in both football and track for his athleticism and determination.

After one year at Central Technical Community College in Hastings, Bill jumped into business ownership in 1977, managing Bill’s Apco Station on South K Street in Fairbury. Later that year, he joined Roode’s Packing Company, where he was known for doing just about everything—cutting meat, working in the cooler, and loading trucks—with his usual roll-up-your-sleeves attitude.

On November 27, 1976, he married Kathy Rice, and together they welcomed their daughter, Holly. Later, on June 8, 1985, Bill married the love of his life, Cindy Milius. From that union came four more children—James, Jessica, Jacob, and Joseph—who would all come to know him as coach, teacher, hero, and the guy who always had a tool belt nearby.

On October 18, 1993, Bill began working as the maintenance man at Heritage Care Center in Fairbury—where Cindy also worked. From leaky pipes to heating problems, Bill kept the place running for nearly 30 years before retiring (reluctantly) on March 3, 2022.

But if you knew Bill, you know his real job was being there—for his kids, his wife, his friends, and his family. He coached each of his kids in their designated sport—softball, baseball, basketball, football, and soccer. He enjoyed watching his kids trap shoot and assisting them with their 4-H horse projects. He loved woodworking and gifted many with his custom-made treasures. He was a four-point pitch aficionado, motorcycle enthusiast, and lifelong lover of horses. One of his favorite memories was the Zabokrtsky annual trail ride.

Every morning, you could find him meeting up with his coffee posse at Maatsch’s. In the parking lot, you could see his truck and his faithful dog, Merle, patiently waiting for him.

Bill loved helping his dad with the cattle on their hobby ranch and would do anything for this mother. His passion for the ranch never ceased and instilled the same love in his children.

In January, he set sail on a cruise with Cindy, Holly, and Aron to celebrate 40 years of love—just a bit ahead of schedule.

Bill was preceded in death by his grandparents Austin & Mae Miles and William & Katherine Melcher, and by his beloved parents, Jim & Merle Marie Melcher.

He is survived by his wife, Cindy Melcher; his children: Holly Melcher (Aron Rasmussen), James Melcher (Brittany Spieker), Jessica Melcher (Eric Brockway), Jacob Melcher, and Joseph Melcher; his granddaughter, Jimarie Brockway; his sister, Karla (Tim) Melander; and numerous other family members.

He leaves behind a legacy of love, loyalty, and quiet strength—a man who built more than just things; he built a life full of meaning, memories, and deep connections. If heaven needed someone dependable, selfless, and steady—someone who showed up, no matter what—they just gained one of the best.

Ride on, Bill. You did life right.