William "Bill" Hartranft

   William ‘Bill’ Hartranft Jr., son of William and Margaret (Moran) Hartranft, was born July 15, 1936 at Palmyra, NY.  As a young man Bill enjoyed hunting.  He graduated high school in Palmyra and attended two years of college in Wisconsin.  Bill entered the United States Marines and completed basic training at Camp Lejeune.  He served for two years and, following his discharge, he worked as a plastic packaging salesman for a time. 

   Bill began working as a clerk at Camp Pendleton in the late 1960’s.  It was here that he met Beverly Stull and the couple was united in marriage on April 20, 1974 in San Diego, CA.  He later worked as Assistant Chief of Environmental Care at the VA hospital in San Diego.

   Through the years Bill enjoyed camping, fishing and bird watching.  He was very outgoing and never met a stranger.  Following Bill’s retirement in 2000 they moved to Elk Horn, IA, to be close to family and experience four seasons each year.

   Following a short stay at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, NE, Bill died there on Friday, April 12, 2019.  He was 82 years, 8 months and 28 days of age.

   Bill is preceded in death by his parents and step daughter Deborah Boettger.

   He is survived by his wife Beverly Hartranft, Elk Horn; sisters: Ann Judge, NY; Janet Hargrave, CT; Mary Kinnaman, VA; and Beth Kline (James), TX; stepchildren: Steven Logelin (Bonnie), Omaha, NE; Christine Beavers (Ralph), Omaha, NE; Louis “Skip” Smith Jr. (Phyllis), El Paso, TX; 13 step grandchildren; 30 step great grandchildren; 2 step great great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.