December 27, 1939 – December 18, 2023
Mass of Christian Burial for William “Bill” Sherwood will be at 10:30 a.m. CT on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in McLaughlin. Burial will be in the McLaughlin City Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge.
William passed away Monday, December 18, 2023, in Mobridge. William Sherwood Jr. was born on December 27, 1939, at Fort Yates, ND to William A. and Helen “Midge” (Mathison) Sherwood. Bill and his mom lived with her parents, Martin and Julia Mathison, in Minneapolis while his dad was in the service. When his dad got out of the service, the family moved to South Dakota. His most vivid memory of time spent in Minneapolis was that they had indoor plumbing, electricity and a furnace; there were no such luxuries once they moved to South Dakota.
Bill attended Wakpala School, graduating May 19, 1958. Following graduation Bill attended Michigan State University, then transferred to Dickinson (ND) State College to be closer to home.
Bill and Victoria C. Keller married on June 4, 1960, in McLaughlin. Following their marriage, Bill worked for Beckman Construction, having a hand in building the Grand River bridge. Bill and Vicki moved to California where Bill was employed by Aerojet-General Corp as an engineering assistant. In February 1964, Bill and Vicki moved to Fort Yates where Bill was hired as a BIA police officer. He was assigned to the Yankton Reservation.
After eight years as a police officer, Bill went to work for the Indian Health Service. February 1972 began a 24-year career as an Environmental Health Tech at the IHS Clinic in McLaughlin. In 1991 he transferred to the Pierre District Office, where he managed environmental health staff on four reservations. While working full-time, he also ranched with his dad and brother. Bill retired from the Indian Health Service in January 1996. Bill was not a successful retiree; he returned to work at the McLaughlin Clinic and then the Tribal Health Department, where he was appointed as Tribal Health Director. He served in this position until he retired.
Vicki was diagnosed with lung cancer and Bill was diligent in his care for her until her passing in 2005.
Bill married Deb Laundreaux at Norway Lutheran Church in Glenham on February 17, 2007.
Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Deborah Sherwood, McLaughlin; sons Steven Sherwood (Billie Jo), Highmore, and Dennis Sherwood, McLaughlin; daughters Michealle Sherwood, McLaughlin, Denise (Leonard) Feist, Newcastle, WY, and Sue (Shannon) Kvarness, Selby; stepdaughter, Steph (Tim) Holzer, Mobridge; brother Greg Sherwood, Wakpala; sister Candy Sherwood, Mandaree, ND; grandchildren Zane Sherwood (Billi Jo Olson), Wendy Sherwood, Brandy (Brady) Faehnrich, Dusty (John) Helland, Chance Heid, Melissa (Tom Cornia) Heid, Ty (Kylene)Heid, Logan (Deidra) Heid, Luke (Anna) Jantzen, Amanda (Jesse) Lesmeister, Jeremy Feist, Kailee Webb, Kenna Webb, and Kaitlin Holzer; 21 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Victoria (Keller) Sherwood; son William S.J. Sherwood III; his parents, William Sr. and Helen “Midge” Sherwood; his sister, Melinda Sherwood; and his great-grandson Kingston Heid.
(Deb Sherwood’s address is 27149 Hwy. 12, McLaughlin, SD 57642.)