Published in the Tribune January 31, 1918

B. M. Willsey, Pioneer, Brought Here For Burial

News of the death of B. M. Willsey came to Blair last Thursday with the information that the remains would be shipped to this point for burial. Mr. Willsey died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. F. Kinney at College View, where he had made his home for the past two years. The remains were met by the Masonic Lodge of this city and the burial services were held under their auspices.

Berea M. Willsey was born in Troy, N. Y., on June 26, 1839. His early life was spent in Massachusetts. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in Co. C., 10th Massachusetts Inf. where he served until the fall of 1864. In October of that year he was married to Lucy A. Goodrich, who survives him, together with three daughters, Mrs. J. F. Kinney of College View, Nebr., Mrs. G. G. Dennis, of Omaha, Nebr., and Mrs. J. B. Schrock of Scottsbluff, Nebr.

In 1869 he came to Washington County and settled on a homestead near what is now the town of Washington, Nebr. Eight years later he moved to the city of Blair where he engaged in the agricultural implement business. He moved to Omaha in 1897, where he entered the employment of the North Western Roads, retiring in 1909. A year later he moved to Scottsbluff, Nebr., where he remained for two years.

Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clipping on file at the Blair Public Library.