William Hans Heyden

William (Bill) Hans Heyden passed away peacefully at home on July 6, 2023. The world was blessed to have him on this earth for 92 years. He was surrounded by those who cared for, and loved him dearly.

Bill was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska on November 15, 1930. He attended St. Bernard's Elementary School through 8th grade, 1936-1944. He went to Creighton Prep High School from 1944-1948.
Bill excelled in football and basketball throughout his high school years.
During his senior year, he started at right end in football and also started at center in basketball. Prep's basketball team went 22 & 2 that year. The Prep football team was undefeated co-champion's with Grand Island. Bill was awarded all city and all state in basketball in 1948. During the state basketball tournament, Bill broke his ankle warming up before the game. He still played on his broken ankle for three quarters of the game!

After graduation, Bill received a football scholarship to the University of Washington in Seattle as a tackle. December of that same year, Bill's father was killed in a car accident. Going back to Washington from the funeral, Bill was caught in the Blizzard of 1949 on a train in Wyoming. He and his college roommate were stranded for two weeks in the train, and it took three weeks to get back to Washington. After returning to Washington and realizing that he had missed so much school, Bill decided to go back to Omaha and attend Creighton University on a basketball scholarship. He played for the Creighton University Bluejays all throughout the rest of his college years.

At Creighton University, Bill was Second LT in the ROTC program. After graduation he joined the US Army in 1953. He was honorably discharged in 1956 while serving at Fort Dicks, New Jersey.

Bill worked for American Automobile Association (AAA) for 48 years. He retired in 2004.
Creighton Bluejays Basketball and Nebraska Cornhusker Football kept Bill glued to the television, or attending games for many years!

Bill's wife and family meant everything to him. He loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were his pride and joy!

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hans William Heyden and Elenore (Stillmock) Heyden; brother, Richard Heyden; Margaret (Carlson) Heyden; and many friends and loved ones.

He is survived by his wife Dolly (Lamb); children: William Heyden, Jr. (Kim), Mary Ringenberg (Mark), Diana Vassos, Mark Heyden (Linda), Beth Reher (Jeff); twelve grandchildren and thirteen
great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation, in honor of Bill, to Hillcrest Hospice, 1820 Hillcrest Drive, Bellevue, NE 68005