Bill Eugene Spellman

William Eugene Spellman, (Bill), 92, Of Shelton, NE died on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Kinship Point Northridge in Kearney, NE with family by his side. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Shelton, NE with Rev. Stanley Ejike Madubuike celebrating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Shelton cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5-7PM at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church and the Shelton Volunteer Fire Department. Apfel Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements; online condolences may be left at www.apfelfuneralhome.com.

Bill was born May 24, 1933, in Brady, Nebraska. He died October 9, 2025 at the age of 92. He was the second son of six boys born to Marvon and Ann Spellman.

He graduated from Shelton, Nebraska in 1951 and worked on the UP railroad until he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in November of 1951. He served for three years. When he was discharged, he married Viola Sheen, on April 14, 1956.

He attended Milford technical school for mechanics. Bill and Vi then moved to Lexington, NE where he worked as a mechanic and they started raising four children, Steve, Terri, Sue and Jeff.

Bill had a dream of opening his own business, so the family moved back to Shelton, where he opened up a Derby Service station with his brother Jim. The brothers operated Spellman’s Service for many years, doing mechanical work, rural fuel delivery and selling fertilizer. Later their youngest brother, Bob, joined the business, adding in a body and paint shop. After retiring from the station, he worked as a mechanic in Gibbon for Rayburn’s.

He was a volunteer fireman for many years. He served several terms on the Shelton village board. He was a member of the Shelton American Legion.

He is survived by his children: son, Steve (Jan) of Kearney, daughter, Terri Webben of Grand Island, son, Jeff ( Kris) of Shelton; grandchildren: Arielle Tripe (Trevor) of Kearney, Don Webben (Mattie) of Kearney, Trevor Spellman ( Lisa) of Kearney, Danielle Lausterer (Nick) of Wahoo, Derek Walker (Alicia) of Kenesaw, Devon Webben ( Cece) of Omaha, Tucker Spellman ( Kaylyn) of Republican City, Jack Spellman ( Shania) of Aurora; twenty great-grandchildren; brother, Gary Spellman ( Joyce) of Minden; sisters-in-law: Sylvia Spellman of Kearney and Penny Spellman of Shelton; brother-in-law, Harold Sheen ( Joyce) of Kearney; and many, many, nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Viola; brothers: Marvon, Jim, Fred and Bob; daughter, Sue; son-in-law, Jeff Webben and        great -nephew Jacob Spellman.