Keith Eugene Willard

Keith Eugene Willard of Belle Fourche and formerly of Dupree passed away peacefully with his family by his side on January 27, 2021.

Keith was born on January 13, 1941 in Huron, the last in a family of two sisters and two brothers. His parents were Clyde and Leota (Moore) Willard.

He enlisted in the Army right after graduation. In March 1961, he married the love his life, Dorothy Harrington, and she joined him in Massachusetts. Their first child, Clyde, was born in April 1962. After being honorably discharged he moved his small family to Wessington, SD. In February 1964 their second child, Sandra, was born. Keith worked at several jobs before starting in the banking business at the Bank of Wessington in 1967. Their last child, Susan, was born in August 1967.

In 1977 he moved the family to Edgemont and went to work for the Southern Hills Bank. In 1983 the family moved to Sidney, MT, where he worked for the Montana Bank. He was a member of the Sidney Lions Club and the Loyal Order of the Masons.

In 1988 Keith and Dorothy moved to Dupree, where he worked for Farmers State Bank. After two years, the bank was purchased and Keith started his long-time career working with Al Hegyi and the 1st Financial Bank USA team as president and CEO. He remained with them for actively working in the bank in 2005 but remained as a director on the board and loan underwriter until his death.

Keith was always a farmer at heart as evidenced by the years raising sheep, cattle, and horses along with pigs, chickens, pheasants, geese and even the occasional donkey. In his later years, he and Dorothy could be found in one of his horse drawn wagons at the local parade. He also enjoyed participating in the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, where he and Dorothy would ride their trike but always be home by dark. He loved fixing things, including many old tractors, and could often be found tinkering in his shop.

Keith is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Dorothy; his son, Clyde (Roberta) Willard of Ashland, NE; daughters, Sandy (David) Christensen of Sidney, MT and Susan (Bart) Freitag of Williston ND; ten grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren; his brother, Norm (Sharry) Willard; his sister, Dorothy Ransom; sister-in-law, Evelyn Butts, and brother-in-law, Richard (Jeannie) Harrington.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Leota Willard; grandson Ryan Willard; brother Clyde Earl Willard; sister Elva Mae Erdahl; his in-laws, Harold and Alice Harrington; sisters-in-law, Joan Davis and Betty Orr and brother-in-law, Lyle Orr.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 5 at the First Baptist Church in Belle Fourche with Reverend Tim Smith officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date at the Wessington Cemetery in Wessington.

Kline Funeral Home of Belle Fourche is in charge of arrangements.

(Dorothy Willard’s address is 19065 Stangerone Rd, Belle Fourche, SD 57717.)