Dr. William E. Deahl

Hastings resident, Dr. William E. Deahl, Jr., 61, minister and teacher, died, Sunday, December 10, 2006 at 3218 Parklane Drive. He was a member of the Nebraska Annual Conference and was currently serving First United Methodist Church in Hastings, NE. A service in celebration of the life and ministry will be Thursday, December 14, 2006 at 10:30 AM at the First United Methodist Church, Hastings, NE, with Jim Donley officiating. Book signing will be today, till 5 PM and Wednesday from 8 AM to 5 PM at the Brand-Wilson Funeral Home, Hastings, NE. There will be a private family burial at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family from, www.brandwilson.com. Dr. Deahl, was born April 21, 1945 in Twin Falls, Idaho. After graduating from high school in Hawaii, he attended college in California and Utah before completing his bachelors degree at Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1966. He earned a Masters in Theatre and Speech at Northern Illinois University in 1968, a masters of theology at Iliff School of Theology in 1969 and a PHD, in theatre arts from Southern Illinois University in 1971. He was a relentless scholar, pursuing continuing education opportunities throughout his ministerial career. During the past 30 years, Dr. Deahl had ministered to United Methodist congregations in Ryegate, MT; Rising City & Brainard, NE; Springfield, NE; Grace UMC of Lincoln; Kearney First United Methodist Church; Fremont Calvalry UMC; Eustis and Farnam, NE; Gretna UMC; and River Valley Parish, South Sioux City, NE. He taught speech and theatre at Nebraska Wesleyan University, Virginia Intermont College, Eastern Montana College; and Midland Lutheran College, often combining both his careers of college teaching and preaching. Dr. Deahl married Diane Davis on June 4, 1967 in Lincoln. He is survived by his wife Diane; his mother Cora Hardberger Ray of Orlando, FL; brothers, John Deahl of Dallas, TX and Michael Montoya of Orlando, sister Lori Ray of Orlando, stepmother, Patricia Deahl of Salt Lake City, Utah, brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Linda Davis of Hebron and Mary and Mike Hagood of Tampa, Fl. Also 3 godsons, nephews and nieces, students colleagues, and parishioners, too many to name, shared his life. He was preceded in death by his father, William E. Deahl. The family asks in lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE designated for a scholarship fund in his name.