HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID
RG1586.AM: William “Billy” Wolff, 1896-1977
Correspondence and printed matter: 1940-1975
Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska: Cycle shop owner
Size: 16 items
BACKGROUND NOTE
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, on March 15, 1896, William “Billy” Wolff grew up in Lincoln and worked as a motorcycle mechanic before joining the Army and serving with the 314th Sanitary Train, 89th Division, in World War I. After the war, Billy returned to Lincoln and continued to work as a motorcycle and bicycle mechanic before opening his own cycle shop. He was a founding member of the Optimist Club of Lincoln and a major supporter of the youth of Lincoln. Wolff served twenty-five years on the Elks’ Youth Activity Committee and headed up Kids Day at the Nebraska State Fair. Billy also served forty years as the American Legion’s welfare committee chair and fifty-five years as a Boy Scout counselor.
Billy Wolff bicycle/walking trail in Lincoln is named for him. William “Billy” Wolff died on July 7, 1977. He is buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery at Lincoln, Nebraska.
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
This collection consists of one folder containing articles and newspaper clippings about Billy Wolff. Also included are a several letters thanking Billy for his community service work. Of particular interest is a sketch written by W.A. Olson about Billy Wolff’s military service during World War I.
Note: See the photo component [RG1586.PH] for related images.
INVENTORY
Articles, papers, etc. relating to Billy Wolff
Subject headings:
Bicycles
Businesses — Nebraska — Lincoln
Lincoln (Neb.) — Businesses
Wolff, William “Billy,” 1896-1977
Youth — Nebraska — Lincoln
TMM 08-28-2020
