William "Bill" R. Sharp
July 24, 1970 - May 15, 2026
William R. 'Bill' Sharp, age 55, of Fremont
Died Friday, May 15, 2026 at his home.
William Ray "Bill" Sharp was born on July 24, 1970, to William Ray Sharp and Peggy Jean Rudolph (Briggs) in Cedar Rapids Iowa.
Bill lived with his family in Iowa before moving to Frankfort, Kansas where he attended school from 1st to 10th grade. The family moved to Fremont, Nebraska in 1987 where he attended Fremont Senior High School, graduating in 1989.
On June 27, 1992, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Melissa Sue "Missy" Bean. Ten days later, he began his career in asphalt road construction with Omni Engineering, where he joined his cousin and closest friend Shannon Jay Smith.
Bill worked his way up in the company, learning to use every piece of equipment, eventually becoming a Laydown Foreman. Bill was in charge of numerous workers and was responsible for making sure the asphalt ended up on the road black side up.
For approximately 20 years Bill worked on portable asphalt crews, traveling through Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Oklahoma. He was responsible for paving highways, city streets, parking lots and won a National Quality and Construction Award for the Ainsworth, Nebraska Airport Runway in 2014. In 2002, Bill was also featured in the television show Hands On History with Ron Hazelton - Highways. Eventually the company decided to eliminate the portable crews, so Bill was brought back to Omaha to work on numerous highways, interstates, city streets and some of the pathways for the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. Bill also worked for several years for Graham Construction with concrete but returned to Omni Engineering last year. Bill loved working with everyone on his crews and considered them all family members. He would do anything to help them if he could. His daily goal was to always make sure everyone got home safely in one piece.
Bill loved spending time outdoors, hunting deer and pheasant, fishing, camping, golfing, grilling/smoking meats and especially gardening. He loved to grow enough produce to share with family, friends and coworkers. After a tough day it was not unusual for him to get in some "dirt therapy" by pulling weeds. He also always had projects going on in the garage. He loved Kansas Jayhawk basketball, Nebraska Cornhusker Football and Volleyball.
Bill and Missy loved traveling to Mexico, South Dakota, Florida, through Nebraska and most recently to Alaska. They always traveled with their stuffed buddy "Mr. Bill", a great way to meet new people wherever they went. They also raised 4 fur-children, Bailey - a yorkie poo, and 3 huskies - Aniak, Kenai and Layla. All were well loved and given the best life possible, completely spoiled by their dad.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Melissa Sharp, his father William "Bill" Sharp (Norma) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, his mother-in-law Carole Bean and his sisters, Shelly DeGoey (Terry) of Knoxville, Iowa, and Wendy Howard (Brad) of Van Horne Iowa. Brothers-in-law Art Christiansen (Nicole) of Monroe, Iowa, Scott Bean (Wendy) of Florence, South Carolina, Nieces; Joslyn DeGoey (Josh), Hannah Christiansen (Drew), Mallory Howard, Rae McKenny (Beck), Sandy Bowen (Cam), Aislan McKenny, Nephews; Steven DeGoey (Chelzie), Joseph Christiansen, Kenny DeGoey, Jr. (Kylee). Zach Bean, Duncan McKenny (Morgan) Great nieces and nephews; Ryker, Owen, Royce, Zeke, Zephyr, Kyzer, Klaysen and Kiercee and numerous step siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, close in-laws and friends he considers brothers. There may have been no blood shared, but he was still Uncle Bill to many.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother Peggy Briggs, sister Kelly Kaye, stepfather Edwin Warnick, his father-in-law Richard "Rick" Bean and his 4 beloved fur-children.
Bill never seemed to meet a stranger, and if he did, the attempts to make them friends was always present. He loved all his friends and family and was so thankful for everyone who visited or sent heartfelt messages to him during his illness. As we all know, his smile and laughter were infectious. His kindness and generosity will be missed.
The memorial service will be Saturday, May 30, 2026 10:30am, at the Fremont First United Methodist Church in Fremont. Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Ludvigsen Mortuary in Fremont in charge of arrangements.
Obituary Provided By:
1249 E. 23rd St.
Fremont, NE 68025
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