Patricia Louise Will

Patricia Louise Bindrum Will, known affectionately as Patti, was a beacon of laughter, love, and loyalty, emanating an energy that could light up any room.

Patti was born June 13, 1947 in Falls City, NE. She was the oldest of four children of Verlin and Wilma Bindrum. As a young girl, Patti enjoyed tap dancing, ballet and baton twirling. She sang in the school and church choirs, played the piano and played the flute in the high school marching band. She was the chief babysitter for her three younger siblings when her parents were working. Patti and her sister. Dianna, teamed up to prepare the family’s evening dinner. Dianna was in charge of preparing the food and Patti was the chief bottle washer.

Patti graduated from Falls City High School in 1965. She then attended Peru State College majoring in English and minoring in Drama. Upon obtaining her degree, she moved to Oxnard, California near some family relatives to further her career.

She took employment at Bank of America and moonlighted at a USO (United Service Organization). It was at the USO where she met a military man from New Jersey—he was to become her future husband, John Will. Not long after they met, John had to go to New Jersey to support his family. At that time, he proposed marriage to Patti over a telephone call. She accepted. Two years went by before Patti’s future husband was able to travel to Nebraska, meet extended family and get married on June 9, 1973 in Falls City. They immediately settled in Oxnard, California.

It was in California that John and Patti started a family—Valarie and Michael were born there. In 1981 Patti, John and their children moved to Lincoln, NE. Patti went to work as a Teacher’s Aide with Lincoln Public Schools. Her husband, John worked at American Stores, a food processing facility and then a long time employee at Good Year’s manufacturing facility.

Patti’s skills truly came to life on stage as a talented community theatre actress. She took on a vast range of roles, sparkling particularly in comedy, and even managed to bring her beloved husband John into the theatre’s embrace from California to Colorado and to Nebraska. Her gleaming spirit was seen when she played multiple roles throughout the theatre she embraced wholeheartedly.

Patti was a woman of many talents. She loved to work in her yard and flower garden. Patti and John worked many hours developing and maintaining a garden at the Gateway Vista Assisted Living facility she resided at for many years. She was very crafty and enjoyed painting and scrapbooking.

John and Patti traveled together after the children were grown. At one time they visited all the counties in Nebraska as well as all 50 states. They were very involved in many church youth camps, various trips and several Habibat for Humanities activities/trips.
Patti was a strong church goer with involvement with various organizations in her church. She was a woman of deep, strong faith in God. She had an unwavering love for her family and an unquenchable thirst for life. She was an example of her faith in God.

Patti was preceded in death by her parents, Verlin and Wilma (Dryer) Bindrum, grandparents, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

She is survived by her loving husband, John Will, Children, Valarie (Tom) Blinde, Mike (Megan Roberts) Will, grandchildren, Christian Will, Patience Hendrickson, Ruby Blinde, Brayden (Lauryn Bailey) Roberts, Jaxn Will; siblings, Dianna (Larry) Pryor, John (Sarah) Bindrum, Bing Alan Bindrum (Amy Meyer) and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation.