Bill was born on July 17, 1950 in Pasadena, TX, to Lt. Col. Carl and Marjory “Peach” (Goyne) Janssen. After graduating high school in Grand Forks, ND, Bill attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he excelled as a Cornhusker football player and graduated with a B.A. in Physical Education. As #55, Bill was the starting defensive tackle and Co-Captain of the 1972 team. Named Honorable Mention, All-Big Eight, member of team that won two NCAA National Championships, four Big Eight Conference titles (including the 1971 “Game of the Century”), three consecutive Orange Bowls and a Sun Bowl. Pre-season member of 1973 Pittsburgh Steelers and two 1974 World Football League teams. He graced the cover of 2 Sports Illustrated magazines and was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2021 and the Red River High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.
After professional football, Bill worked for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, was a Davis Equipment sales and service representative in IA, and became a top-performing Edward Jones broker in MN before returning to Lincoln as a banking executive. Bill retired as financial adviser and Vice-President/Sales Manager of Ameritas Investment Company.
Bill dearly loved his family and friends, being outdoors, hunting, fishing, NE football, animals, music, telling jokes and stories, and “making memories”. He was immensely kind, generous, honest, trustworthy, loyal, never knew a stranger, and led and loved by example. He stayed positive through his challenges and helped others through theirs. He was an inspiration to all who knew him.
Bill is survived by wife Cindy (Cress) Janssen of Bennett; daughters Monica Janssen of Lincoln and Rebecca (Tavis) Sorensen of Boise, ID; son James (Heather) Janssen and grandsons Dane, Reilly, and Porter of Lincoln; mother of his children Judy (Pletan) Thompson of Lincoln; brothers Carl Janssen, Jr. of Monument, CO and Eric Janssen of Denton, TX; stepsons Derek (Jessica) Higgins of Aurora, CO and Casey Higgins of Lincoln; six nieces and nephews and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Heather, his parents, and his brother Roger Janssen.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Nebraska Greats Foundation, Capital Humane Society, or The Gathering Place.
Memorial services are planned for January 12, 2024 at 11 a.m. at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 8550 Pioneers Blvd., Lincoln, NE, with a luncheon to follow.