William N. "Bill" Underwood

William N. “Bill” Underwood Jr., 75, of Elwood, Nebraska passed away on Friday, April 28, 2023, at the Elwood Care Center. He was born on April 5, 1948, to William and Doris J. (Read) Underwood, Sr. Bill attended public schools in Eustis, Nebraska and graduated from Eustis High School with the class of 1968. He then went on to further his education at Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte for Autobody Mechanics. Following school, Bill enlisted in the United States Army on December 3, 1968. He proudly served in his country during Vietnam where he was promoted to Staff Sargent. Following Vietnam, he was stationed in Germany and Fort Campbell, Kentucky. After his father’s death, Bill decided not to reenlist and was honorably discharged on July 28, 1976. Before leaving for Vietnam, Bill attended a dance at the Lexington National Guard Armory in 1967 where he would later meet his first wife, Darlene Ostendorf. They were united in marriage on November 25, 1968. Three sons were blessed to this union: Michael, Bradley and Jeffrey. The family decided to move back to Gothenburg in 1976 where he began to work at Sperry New Holland in Lexington. Deciding to be closer to work, they moved the family to Lexington. In 1986, Bill and Darlene’s marriage ended in divorce. Bill found love again and was united in marriage to Cathy Cook-Harris on February 14, 1998, in Lexington. He was graced with two loving stepchildren, Shon and Sebrina. During their time together, they made their home in Lexington, Johnson Lake and Elwood. He worked at Dawson Feeders for over twenty years and spent 10 years working for Wal-Mart in the meat department before retiring. Bill spent his retirement doing the things he loved the most: fishing, working on model cars, and watching college football. He was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker football fan and rarely ever missed a game. Bill loved being outdoors with his faithful dog, Sissy, cooking up some delicious ribs and enjoying an ice-cold Busch Light. Bill was a former member of the Nifty 50’s Car Club and was quite fond of it. Even through his health issues, Bill was a fighter and loved living life to its fullest. Bill leaves to celebrate his life, his wife, Cathy of Elwood; his three boys, Mike Underwood of Cozad, Brad (Amber) Underwood of Kearney and Jeff Underwood of Cozad; step-children, Sebrina (Michael) Berumen of Aurora, Colorado and Shon (Jan) Harris of Lula, Georgia; thirteen grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Kenny (Barb) Underwood of Holdrege, James (Lois) Underwood of Lexington, Rod (Lois) Underwood of Lexington and Jerry Underwood of Wilbur; sisters-in-law, Christy Underwood of Azle, Texas, Elsie Underwood of Lexington, and Virginia (Charles) Wind of Mesa, Arizona; brothers-in-law, Lynn (Joyce) Cook of Elsie and Tom Cook of Mullen; as well as nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Besides his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brothers, John, Arthur, and Edwin; sisters, Ethel and Willa; nephew, Jeramy Underwood, and grandson, Joshua Harris. Funeral Services will be on Friday, May 5, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the LexChristian Church in Lexington with Pastor Dave Leraaen, officiating. The service will be live-streamed via the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home Facebook page. A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 4, 2023 from 6-8 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington. Interment with Military Honors will be in the Cozad Cemetery at Cozad. Memorials are kindly suggested to the Wounded Warriors Project or Disabled American Veterans. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com