William “Bill” Sixta, 82, of Clarkson, Nebraska, died Sunday, October 18, 2026, at his home in Clarkson.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 23 at 2:00 PM, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Howells, Nebraska, with Rev. Aaron Hannemann officiating. Interment will be in the Clarkson National Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Miller Funeral Home in Clarkson. Visitation will continue Friday from 1:00 PM until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to Clarkson Opera House.
William “Bill” Dean Sixta was born June 24, 1944, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Leo and Anna (Mundil) Sixta. He graduated from Clarkson High School in 1962 and went to business school in Lincoln, Nebraska until he was drafted into the United States Army on July 19, 1965. He served during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged on July 18, 1967. He received the National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, w/Device 1960. During high school, Bill worked at Vacin/Valrena in Clarkson and after he returned from his military duties went back to work for them for a total of 42 years.
On June 21, 1969, Bill was united in marriage to Janet Schneckloth in Osmond, Nebraska. The couple were blessed with one daughter, Michelle. Bill volunteered as an assistant boy scout leader and served as the director of the Opera House in Clarkson for several years. Bill and Jan served as camp hosts at the Niobrara State Park and the Maskenthine Lake Recreation Area in Stanton for a few years. For 16 years, Bill and Jan were “Snowbirds”, making Apache Junction, Arizona, their winter home. Bill enjoyed fishing and hunting and refinishing furniture.
Bill is survived by:
Wife – Janet Sixta of Clarkson, NE
Daughter – Michelle Lynn (Shane) Schlager of Chadron, NE
Niece – Tracy Starkey of Lincoln, NE
Bill was preceded in death by:
Parents – Leo and Anna Sixta
Sister – Marie (Dennis) Hellbusch
Three nephews
Condolences may be sent to www.gasshaney.com