William G. Zimmermann

William G. Zimmermann

Jul 4, 1925 – Dec 13, 2017

Age 92, of Omaha and Okoboji.  Preceded in death by daughter, Kathleen; son-in-law, Clifford.  Survived by wife, Diane; children: Michael, Judith, John (Emily), Diane “Dede,” Andrew (Lyn), Amy (Glen), and Mary (Nunzio); grandchildren: David, Daniel, Madeline (Brendan), Anthony, Brittany, Caleigh, and Alfio; great-grandchildren, William (and his mother, HelenMarie) and Brendan; and a plethora of additional family and friends.

Industrial engineer, entrepreneur, business owner, and innovator, he leaves a legacy unmatched in the material handling/conveying/mining industries.  He will be missed immeasurably.

The family will receive friends on Monday, Dec. 18th from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel, followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL on Tuesday, Dec. 19th at 10am at Christ the King Catholic Church, 654 S. 86th St.  Interment, Resurrection Cemetery with military honors by American Legion Post #1.  Memorials will be directed by the family.

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

With overpowering sadness and with the heaviest of hearts, we say goodbye to William Zimmermann, a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, mentor, and bright guiding light whose influence on others will spread outward long beyond his death.

Today, we celebrate his 92 years of boundless generosity and indefatigable love. We struggle to capture the full scope of his intelligence, the depth of his rock-solid support for all those he loved and respected, the precision of his wit, the dynamism of his grand personality, and the admirable, unshakable strength of his character.

In life and in work, he stood at the head of the pack, respected as a leader, industrial engineer, entrepreneur, innovator, inventor, and icon. His accomplishments are countless, and he carried the unique ability to make everyone feel as if they were the center of his world. Among Zimmermanns, he was the center of ours.

In addition to being the best friend of all who had the honor of knowing him, he was a fighter and a champion for himself and for others. He was a two-time winner of the Golden Glove in the Featherweight Division while proudly serving his country in the US Navy, at the tail end of World War II, and he was never one to back down from a challenge.

Upon his abrupt exit from this world, he leaves a legacy unmatched in the material handling, conveying, and mining industries. His footsteps in these fields are as large, as deep, and as permanent as his spirit.

Please keep Bill (“Dad,” “Papa”), his cherished wife, Diane, his numerous friends, and the entirety of the Zimmermann family in your thoughts and prayers in the months and years ahead. The loss of this man is an earthquake across our hearts and memories.

 

17 Comments

  • Helen Sykora Posted December 14, 2017 9:18 am

    Dede, Mary, Sweet William and family-
    We are so sorry for your loss and want you to know we are holding you close to our hearts. Feel our love!

    The Sykora Family

  • Debra Leigh Posted December 14, 2017 11:04 am

    Diane, Mike, Judy, John, Dede, Amy, Mary, Andy & families I can not even find the words to express the sorrow I am feeling at the loss of Bill. He was such an amazing, brilliant human being. He was the best mentor anyone could ask for. He will always have a piece of my heart. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers now and in the days to come. He will leave a huge void in all our lives as he was so important to everyone who knew him.

    • John Zimmermann Posted February 3, 2018 9:26 pm

      Thank you, Deb. WGZ’s passing leaves a tremendous void in our lives but his light yet shines and will help guide each of us for all time. We are all fortunate to have had him in our lives.

  • Mike Bosse’ family Posted December 14, 2017 7:04 pm

    So sorry to hear of your loss, Bill was an amazing human being. You all will be in our thoughts.

  • Ronna Kaplan Posted December 15, 2017 9:44 am

    Mary,Dede,,Amy,John, Andy, Judy,and Mike Your dad was a wonderful and smart man he never ceased to amaze me..My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Zimmerman family the thing you all will have is his wonderful memories. Love Ronna

    • John Zimmermann Posted February 3, 2018 9:23 pm

      Thank you for your support for the Zimmermann family, Ronna.

  • Dean Rosenboom Posted December 15, 2017 2:20 pm

    Diane & Bill Zimmermann family,
    We send prayers to you and your family in this time of sorrow. Bill was my first boss in the industry and was amazing each day with his contacts and knowledge. I worked with him for 7 years and will NEVER forget my days with Bill & Diane at The Conveyor Company in Sibley. It was truly the best working years there. He was a great man and will be missed by all who knew him.

    • John Zimmermann Posted February 3, 2018 9:10 pm

      Thank you for your kind words and remembrances of Dad. He was one of a kind and the Zimmermann family will miss him more than words can say. I am privileged to have followed in his footsteps.

  • Ray McGaha Posted December 16, 2017 8:32 am

    Pat and I send prayers to Bill’s family and friends during this time of sorrow. Bill Zimmermann was a dear friend and mentor of mine and I loved him like a brother. In fact he was my brother in every respect.
    Thanks Bill for your friendship and guidance to a young engineer and businessman over the many years we worked together on projects all over the world. May God bless your soul
    Ray

    • John Zimmermann Posted February 3, 2018 9:13 pm

      Thank you for sharing your thoughts with the family, Ray. He loved you like a brother. His days with the gang in Winfield were his happiest. There will never be another like WGZ.

  • Edward McMorrow Posted December 18, 2017 2:48 pm

    I met Bill back in the mid 1980’s when he was operating ZMI Corp on South 72nd Street in Omaha. I have fond memories of Bill and he was part of the reason I moved to Omaha.

    To the Zimmerman family I know how difficult this must be for you and your family with the passing of Bill; lean on your friends and family for strength during this difficult time. Hopefully the peace which comes from the memories of Bill and the love shared will help comfort you.

    RIP Bill.

    Ed McMorrow

    • John Zimmermann Posted February 3, 2018 9:15 pm

      Ed, the Zimmermann family appreciates your kind words and condolences.

  • Van Younger/Joe Younger Posted December 21, 2017 8:59 am

    My father and I would like to send our prayers and condolences to the family. Bill was a respected gentleman both in his personal life as well as business. Truly a loss in his industry, and I am so appreciative that I was fortunate to see him and spend a little time with him once again. My father and myself mourn the loss of a wonderful individual .

    • John Zimmermann Posted February 3, 2018 9:18 pm

      Van and Joe, Dad spoke so highly of the Younger boys and cherished the time working with CCE. There aren’t a lot of father/son tandems in our business and we appreciate the standard you have set.

      The Zimmermann family sincerely appreciates your support and condolences.

  • Jack Hanrahan Posted January 9, 2018 7:53 am

    To John and Family, Please accept our entire Family’s sincere condolences on the loss of Mr. Zimmermann. I was very privileged to know him through his son John, who loved him so much, and I was always so impressed with his business acumen and his sense of making me feel like I was the most important person in his Life when I was with him. What a man he was and how proud he was of all his own Family. God bless all of you on your loss.
    Sincerely, Jack Hanrahan. Kansas City

    • John Zimmermann Posted February 3, 2018 9:22 pm

      Jack, our 20+ year friendship means so much to me at this difficult time.

      You and I are so fortunate to have had such great role models in our fathers. It’s up to us to carry on their legacy and continue to be the gentlemen they taught us to be.

      Thank you so much for your support for the Zimmermann family.

  • Daniel Zimmermann Posted March 23, 2024 12:58 am

    Another sleepless night and I’m as lost as I’ve ever been. Not a day has passed in these 6.5 years without you that you don’t weigh on my mind heavily. You gave me so much special time and love to last a lifetime, enough that my best days on earth and memories were all left with you at such a young age. Life is very hard and its probably for the better that your in heaven where you belong I would just be stressing you out and have you worried with the places I’ve been and things I’ve seen. I miss you and Quimby more than words can ever say. Can’t wait for the day when I will see you again.

    Loved and missed always and forever!

    Daniel

Sign Guestbook

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *