A Mass of Christian Burial for William “Bill” Lee Arends, 73, of Petersburg, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 13, 2024, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Petersburg.

Fr. Joseph Sund will officiate, and inurnment will be at a later date. Visitation will be 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the church, with a 7:00 p.m. wake service.

William “Bill” Lee Arends, the son of George John and Dorothy Gene (Holcomb) Arends, was born on March 23, 1951 at Elgin, and he passed away Saturday, June 8, 2024, at CHIBergan Mercy Medical Center, Omaha.

He grew up in Petersburg and attended St. John the Baptist Catholic School and graduated from Petersburg Public School in 1969. Arends held several different jobs throughout his life which included building trailer houses, masonary, truck driver, and his favorite being self-employed as a mechanic. Those who knew him knew he had a love for racing. He enjoyed Drag Racing in his 1970 Monte Carlo “Buffalo’s Toy” in which he brough home many trophies from those racing days. If he wasn’t racing himself, he was watching others race stock cars and helped build a car or two.

He would also attend many Car Shows always dreaming of one day owning many of those cars. If he wasn’t racing, he would have been out hunting deer and chasing coyotes. No matter what was happening he always had a positive outlook and remained positive. He lit up every room he was in.

Arends was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Petersburg.

He was preceded in death by his parents; George and Dorothy Arends, and brother Dave Arends.

William “Bill” Lee Arends is survived by his son Dana Clark of Lodi, Calif.; two grandchildren: Anthony and Chloe; five siblings: George (Joanne) Arends of Gering; Tom Arends of Gering; Dan Arends of Petersburg; Mike (Karen) Arends of Albion; Jeanie (Jerry) Scarlett of St. Edward; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

Levander Funeral Home of Albion, NE is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.levanderfuneralhome.com.