William Lee "Bill" Nilges, of Freeburg, was born on September 26, 1946, at Freeburg a son of William Ballsar, Sr. and Catherine (Bock) Nilges, and departed this life at 8:47 a.m., Thursday, October 8, 2015, in the University Hospital and Clinics, Columbia. Mr. Nilges had attained the age of 69 years and 12 days.

Mr. Nilges was united in marriage on September 20, 1975, at Freeburg to the former Miss Nancy Ann Haller and to this union, three children were born. He was preceded in death by his father, William on March 18, 1970; his mother, Catherine on March 26, 1971; two brothers, Victor Nilges on November 24, 2000 and Ben Nilges in June 2005 and one sister, Dorothy Gertrude Iven on June 17, 2013.

Mr. Nilges was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church, Freeburg. He was a United States Army veteran, a member of the Paul A. Hasenbeck Memorial American Legion Post No. 317, Freeburg, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8045, Argyle, the Knights of Columbus Council No. 9700, Freeburg, and the Freeburg Lions Club. Mr. Nilges had worked for Herman Kempker Construction and as maintenance manager for the State of Missouri retiring in 2001. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, building things, gardening, canning, and spoiling his grandchildren.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Nilges include: his wife, Nancy Nilges of the home in Freeburg; one son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Ginger Nilges, Bland; two daughters and two sons-in-law, Sara and Travis Luebbert, Westphalia and Jennifer and Rodney Kampeter, Freeburg; three sisters, Barbara Nilges, Jefferson City; Georgia DeBroeck, Mansfield, Texas; and Mary Hoffman, Freeburg; three grandchildren, Kaitlyn Luebbert, Isaac Luebbert, Addison Kampeter with twins expected soon; Chris's three step children, Summer Buechter, Alicia Massman, and Michael Kneeskern; his father-in-law, Albert Haller, Freeburg; and other relatives and friends.

A Prayer Service was held for Mr. Nilges at 7:00 p.m., on Sunday evening, October 11, 2015, in the Holy Family Catholic Church, Freeburg, with the Rev. William D. Debo leading.


The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Mr. Nilges at 10:00 a.m. on Monday morning, October 12, 2015, in the Holy Family Catholic Church, Freeburg, with the Rev. William D. Debo celebrating.

Interment with full military honors was in the Holy Family Cemetery, Freeburg, under the direction of the Vienna Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Serving as pallbearers were George Iven, Andy Iven, Randy Iven, Tom Nilges, Matt Reichel, and Aaron Haller.

Masses or memorials are suggested the Holy Family School, Freeburg, are preferred by the family with envelopes available at the Holy Family Church or the Vienna Office of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes.

Online condolences may be left at birminghammartinfuneralhomes.com