Wm. Keith (W.K.) Otto

Wm. Keith (W.K.) Otto, age 82, of Phillips, died Monday evening, January 27, 2003, in Grand Island.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Friday, January 31st at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora. Pastor Terry Otto will officiate. Interment will be in the Phillips Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 P.M. Thursday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 P.M. Memorials may be made to the Phillips Cemetery. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com.

OBITUARY: WM. KEITH (W.K.) OTTO

William Keith Otto, the son of William Lester and Ruth Ellen (Craft) Otto, was born in Aurora, Nebraska on October 30, 1920 and died in Grand Island, Nebraska on January 27, 2003, at the age of 82.

Keith grew up in Hamilton County and graduated from Phillips High School in 1938 and then attended Lincoln Business School. He was employed by International Harvester in Grand Island and farmed. Keith enlisted in the Navy Air Corp during World War II, he was commissioned as an Ensign and was promoted to pilot and celestial navigator. He served stateside and in Hawaii before being honorably discharged in December 1945.

Keith was united in marriage to Beverly E. Stewart on September 13, 1945 at Mobile, Alabama. They lived in the Phillips area where he was employed with International Harvester for over 35 years. Keith continued being active in farming until his death.

Keith was President of Fonner Park serving from 1978-79 and again in 1989-90. He served on the Phillips School Board and as Mayor of Phillips for a number of years. Keith was a member of the Elks Lodge, Eagles, Platt-Duetsche, Liederkranz and Saddle Club. He enjoyed cards and reading, plus spending time with his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Beverly of Phillips; daughter Sue Washburn and her husband Gary of Broken Bow; three sons, Tim Otto of Aurora, Randy Otto of Rolling Hills, California and Todd Otto and his wife Dawyn of Grand Island; 3 grandchildren, Brant Washburn and his wife Traci of Lincoln, Shalyse Washburn of San Diego, California and Abbie Otto of Grand Island and one great-granddaughter, Taylor Renae Washburn of Lincoln. He is also survived by three sisters, Eloise Marvel of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Jerre Ann Lane and Marilyn Fischer both of Grand Island and 8 nieces and nephews.