William Gaffney Obituary, Death – William D. Gaffney, 94, of Omaha, NE, died on August 8, 2022. William “Bill” Dean Gaffney was born in Omaha, Nebraska on December 24, 1927. Bill was Peter and Mary (Kelly) Gaffney’s eldest son. After graduating from St. Bonaventure High School in Columbus, Nebraska, Bill joined the Navy. During WWII, he worked as a control tower operator while stationed in California. He attended and graduated from Creighton University after being honorably discharged from the military. He started his own business, “Gaffney’s Bar & Grill,” after working as a salesman for Storz Brewing Co. He worked in various sales positions after selling the bar.

Bill married Mary A. Redenius in Omaha, Nebraska on August 18, 1951. Ten children were born to the couple. Bill and Mary were founding members of St. Pius the Tenth Catholic Church, and their children all went to St. Pius X/St. Leo Catholic School. Their Catholic faith and parish community were central to their lives. Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, socializing, and woodworking in his later years. He enjoyed making crosses and other wood decorations for the shut-ins in particular. He enjoyed making wooden framed pictures for friends and family and experimenting with new patterns. He would gladly give his various craft items to family, friends, \shospital staff, strangers, and anyone he thought would enjoy them.

Bill was a friendly and outgoing individual. He enjoyed telling stories, cracking jokes, and socializing with others. He had a quick wit and a genuine sense of hospitality! He was very good at remembering names, places, and connecting people. He used to have a bar sign that said, “You are strangers here but once, The Gaffney’s,” which reflected his friendly demeanor. He was proud of his Irish heritage and possessed a touch of the blarney! He was a practical joker who enjoyed playing practical jokes on family and friends. His justice was swift, according to his children and grandchildren—a twist of the ring and a thwap on the head told you when you crossed the line. He wasn’t afraid to express himself, and he might greet you with a “Top of the morning to you” or a “Pog Mo Thoin.” His Irish eyes and impish grin spoke of his inner love and joy.

He had loved his wife, Mary, for over 70 years and had been heartbroken since her death. May his and her hearts be reunited, and may they both be in the presence of our loving and saving God.
Vicki Owens, Jan (Gene) VonAhn, Bill Gaffney, Tom (Laura) Gaffney, Mary Kay (Kurt) Cowger, Jim Gaffney, Carol Thomson, Bob Gaffney (fiancée Jackie), Kathleen (Dean) Headley, and Colleen (Terry) White survive him, as do his ten children: Christine, Tami, Kyle, Kollin, Kraig, Ryan, Cody, Kelley, Bill, Brad His parents, Peter and Mary Gaffney, brother, Jack Gaffney, brothers-in-law, Paul and George Redenius, Leo Ehrig, sisters-in-law, Martha Gaffney, Catherine Ehrig, and Betty Goodman, sons-in-law, Jim Owens and Terry Thomson, grandchildren, Michaela Kirkebak and Faith Gaffney, nephews, George and John Ehrig, niece, Anita Rickert.