Bill graduated from UNL with a degree in animal science with a minor in statistics, followed by an MS and PhD at North Carolina State and Postdoctoral studies at the University of Wisconsin.
Bill is survived by daughter Stephanie Ahlschwede (Todd Wyatt) and son Tom Ahlschwede (Keri Applebee), grandsons Jakob and Nikolas Ahlschwede, brothers George and Rob Ahlschwede, sister Carolyn Samson. Preceded in death by his parents Bob and Betty Ahlschwede of Crete, Nebraska and his wife Margrethe.
His career as a professor began at the University of Nebraska, where he served as state swine extension specialist, and concluded at the University of Tennessee-Martin, where he was a composition professor in the English Department
Bill and Margrethe were married in 1964 and throughout their lives were active members of First United Methodist Church; he also was a frequent participant in church and community choirs and bands.
Visitation: 4:00 – 6:00pm Thursday, February 29, 2024 at Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 ‘O’ Street.
Memorial service: 11:00 am Friday, March 1, 2024, First United Methodist Church, 2723 North 50th Street.
Memorials to First UMC Lincoln the Center for Great Plains Studies