William Huffman was born in Sutherland, NE. At a very young age, his family moved to the Northeast corner of Arthur County on Squaw Creek. He attended rural grade schools and from 1938 to 1942 he worked and boarded at the high school in Curtis, NE and graduated with the class of 1942. One of his classmates was Bonnie Giles!!
On June 15, 1944, Bill married Odetta Fisher at Anselmo, NE. They lived and worked at the McAdams Ranch North of Dunning and he served in the Military from 1945-1946 for 18 months. After brief stints at two other ranches, they returned to McAdams until 1966.
In 1966, the family moved to Vetal, SD to work for L.D. Putnam. They were South Dakota residents for only 7 years before returning to the Sandhills of Nebraska. Bills remaining ranch years were spent back at the McAdams Ranch (now known as U-Cross Ranch) where his son Bill presently resides and at the Monahan Cattle Co. near Hyannis from 1987 until 2003.
Due to his wife’s failing health, Bill and Odetta moved to Ainsworth in 2003 to be closer to good medical facilities. Odetta passed away in 2005.
Bill Huffman is a true legendary cowboy who did his ranch work on horses and not from a pickup or a 4-wheeler!! His eyes light up and his face glows as he tells genuine stories about his experiences during his family’s lifetime of ranching in the Sandhills of Nebraska. He has many good stories to share with all who stop by for a visit.
Family members include: Bob and Sue Huffman of Bassett, Bill and Bobbie Huffman of Dunning, Rod and Mabel Boots of Ashby, and Larry and JoAnn Heath of Cody.
Bill also has two living sisters in Nebraska. They are Mary Duryea of Broken Bow and Mabel Rodocker of Halsey.
Hats off to you!!