FINNEY, ROBERT AND BILLIE (GASTON)

by the Robert Finney's

Entry F138 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Bob and Billie Finney bought the former
Russell Machlan ranch southeast of Mullen,
from the Bob and Blaine Runner families in
the spring of 1971, and moved to the ranch
June 9, 1971. They moved from the ranch
south of Seneca where Joe and Teresa Finney
now live.

Bob graduated from Seneca High School
and attended Creighton University of
Omaha. He served in the Navy for four years
during World War II and attended school at
Texas A&M College Station, Texas for a
short time while in the Navy. He served in the
African and Pacific Theater, being stationed
on Imo Jima when the war ended. He was
discharged in January 1946 with the rank of
Quartermaster 2nd class.

Billie graduated from Thedford High
School and worked in the Citizen State Bank,
Thedford, Nebraska for five years, where she
held the position of assistant Cashier.

Bob and Billie were married in March 1947
and moved to the Look ranch south of
Seneca. In 1954 they bought the Howard
Huddle ranch which joined them on the west.
They lived on the Look ranch for 24 years.

The couple's children are: Danny Robert
born 1948, James Russell born
1952, Douglas Wyatt born
1953, and Helen Ann born 1956. The
children attended grade school days at a
country school across the road from their
home.

Danny graduated from Thedford High
School in 1966 and attended Parks School of
Business in Denver. He was drafted into the
U.S. Army February 1969. He graduated
from the U.S. Army School of Finance, Fort
Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. He served ten
months in Phu Tai, Vietnam where he was a
cashier in the finance office of the 173rd
Airborne Brigade. On November 24, 1972 he
married Jeanne Kimble of Gordon, and they
reside on her mother's ranch, 36 miles
southeast of Gordon. They are expecting
their first child in December 1986.

Russell graduated from Thedford High
School in 1970. He married Patricia Kramer
of Stapleton, Nebraska on April 29, 1972.
They have two sons, William James born
1973, and Scott Russell born
1975. For several years they resided in
Mullen, Russell worked for Kraye Feed and
Seed and Pat served as Deputy County Clerk.
The boys attended school in Mullen. The
family moved to the Hazel Haase ranch
northwest of Tryon January 1, 1986. The
boys now attend School in Tryon.

Douglas graduated from Mullen School in
1972 and lives on the home ranch with his
parents.

Helen graduated from Mullen High School
in 1974, and attended Chadron State College.
On November 1, 1975 she married Bill
Neumeyer of Mullen. They have four daugh-
ters, Brandie Ann born 1978, Dee
Dee Deanna born 1981, Shar-
lie Marie born 1983 and Holly
Christine born 1986. They bought
a home and live in Mullen. Bill works for Don
Mallory Gravel and helping his mother
operate Red's Cafe. Brandie attends Mullen
Grade School.

Bob and Billie and family have worked to
improve the ranch, they put down and
irrigation system in 1973, and put up a new
steel barn later on, along with making other
improvements. They love their ranch and
enjoy living in the Mullen community.