Richard (Dick) Wayne Boness, passed away on Friday, February 2, 2024, at the age of 87, at Highland Park Memory Unit.
He was born on February 25, 1936, to William (Jake) and Louise (Coupens) Boness in Alliance, NE. Dick was a gifted athlete who carried his passion for education and athletics throughout his life. He attended St. Agnes Academy in Alliance, NE, and pursued higher education at Chadron State College, Chadron, NE.
At Chadron State College, Dick lettered in four sports-football, basketball, track and baseball. He excelled as an athlete in both football and track. While earning his Bachelor’s degree in Education, he later pursued and achieved a Master’s in Education Administration. In 1985, he was proudly inducted into the Chadron State Athletic Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class. Additionally, in 2019, he received the honor of induction into the Alliance Public Schools Hall of Fame as a Contributor for his dedicated service to Alliance High School.
In 1960, Dick married Lorraine Holthus, and together they had four children. Survived by his wife Lorraine, Brett (Teresa) Boness, the late Bernadine (Jon) Briggs, Brigit (Jeff) Harris, and Bill Boness (fiancé Kelly Cox), Dick is also survived by his grandchildren: Erika (Brian) Reed of Junction City, OR; Erinn Merrill (fiancé Storm Petersen); Jon (Beth) Briggs of Cheyenne, WY; Zach (Nicole) Boness of Gering, NE; Derek (Becky) Harris and Matt (Olivia) Harris of Gering, NE; Lacy (Dallas) Helms; Josh Boness of Lincoln, NE; Megan Boness (fiancé Levi Burdick) of Cheyenne, WY; Beau Boness and Bella Boness and great-grandchildren, totaling 18. Also surviving are brother-in-law Tom Romick, sister-in-law’s Dorothy Holthus,and Jackie Holthus, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Willetta and Frank Dye as well as many nieces and nephews.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Louise Boness, in-laws George and Lena Holthus, sister Peg Romick, daughter Bernadine Briggs, and granddaughter Blythe Boness.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, February 9th at 10:00 am at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Alliance, NE with Father Matt Koperski officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. A Wake will be held Thursday, February 8th at 7:00 p.m. at the church.
Dick always believed in giving kids every opportunity to succeed. In light of this, memorials may be given to the Alliance Public Schools Foundation for a scholarship to be set up in his honor.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com with Bates-Gould Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.