‘Bill’ Stivers, Dimock

William George “Bill” Stivers, 81, of Dimock, died Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, at Avera Bormann Manor in Parkston.

He was born Aug. 14, 1931.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Dimock with burial following in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday with a 7 p.m. prayer service at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Dimock .

Memorials may be given to Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Dimock and would be preferred in lieu of flowers.

Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Parkston.

Bill was born in Mitchell to Alice (nee Dempsey) and George L. Stivers . “Billie,” as he was affectionately known by family and friends, was the youngest of four children.

Throughout his life, Bill was devoted to his family, Catholic faith and to “good work.” As a young Army private first class, Bill earned the National Defense Service and Good Conduct medals for exemplary performance during his military service from 1952 to 1960. His brilliance as a trumpet player earned him a place in the 11th Airborne Division band. Following this, Bill chose to remain in South Dakota to care for his mother and the family home, and to take up what would be his 30-year career as U.S. Postmaster in Dimock. During retirement, Bill pursued his love of pheasant hunting (mercifully, pheasants were fairly safe when he was afield) and enjoyed trips to visit family in Idaho and Montana. Though he loved the glories of the mountains, Bill could not be enticed to move from Dimock . He was a loyal South Dakotan through and through. Bill was an avid follower of the news and kept many clippings of local and national events of historical importance. He saved all family letters, which have been a delight to revisit (!), and was a faithful sender of beautifully hand-written cards and letters. It is no small irony that Billie, the “postmaster,” eschewed email.

Above all, Bill Stivers will be remembered for his fundamental decency as a son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and member of church and community. The modest man who epitomized the dutiful, good worker in his private and public life was also the quiet, humble doer of many “good works.” Quite simply, Bill Stivers went beyond the job description to help others. All to whom he served as benefactor recall and thank him anew for his kindness and generosity. God will recall it eternally and honor his dear, sparkling soul.

He is survived by a large extended family, which includes his sister-in-law and dearest friend, Shirley Stivers, widow of James, and mother of 10 of Billie’s nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law Glea Stivers, widow of Robert, and his three children; Shirley’s son, Patrick Stivers, and daughter, Julie Stark, and their spouses, Trina and Garry, were especially blessed to be able to be with Billie, spending quality time and lending assistance when declining health necessitated his move from independent living. During the process, Billie displayed customary good humor, grace and gratitude. The Stivers family expresses sincerest thanks to all of his care givers.

He is preceded in death by his beloved brothers, James and Robert; sister, Betty; and parents.

Tags: obituaries, dimock