William was born on June 3, 1930 to parents Lester Kyle and Ella Catherine (Hayes) Will in Wessington Springs, South Dakota. While growing up on the family farm near Gann Valley, SD, he attended the local Wide-Awake School during his elementary years through the 8th grade. “Billy” enjoyed the rural life and the time spent with his 5 siblings. He attended high school at Wessington Springs where he stayed with his Grandma Will during the week and returning to the family farm to help on weekends. He graduated from Wessington Springs High School in 1948, serving as Class President.
After graduating, William entered the United States Army spending some memorable years in Germany. In 1952, after being honorably discharged, he returned home and began ranch work for several years with two of his brothers. He then moved to Fort Collins, Colorado to attend Colorado State University. William put himself through college and then veterinary school working for Martin Marietta Materials and the Colorado Hay Company. He graduated from CSU Veterinary Medicine School in 1963 with his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine.
William met the love of his life, Norma Jean Kirchner, on a blind date during college and they were married two years later on April 25, 1963 in Alliance, Nebraska. Soon after, they moved to Huron to operate the Parkway Animal Hospital and to raise a family. “Doc” as he came to be called by his friends and patrons, later joined other local veterinarians as a partner in forming the Huron Veterinary Hospital and continued his 30-year career as a small and large animal veterinarian until partial retirement in 1995. He continued working sale days at Magness Livestock Market for several years until his full retirement.
Not being able to take the “farm” out of the “boy,” William thoroughly enjoyed operating his own farm north of Huron which he purchased in 1974. He raised and sold cattle and did many of the day-to-day chores well into his retirement years.
He was a long-time member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Elks, St. Martin Catholic Church and Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
William is survived by his wife of 57 years, Norma, of Huron, two children, Michelle (Ron) McCoy of Puyallup, Washington, and Kyle Will of Huron; three granddaughters, Ashlyn, Bryanne and Erin McCoy all of Puyallup, Washington; three sisters-in-law, Marilyn Will of Missouri, Meraldeen Hough and Wilma Kirchner of Nebraska, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Michael in 2012; three brothers, Lester, Donald, and Lyle; and two sisters, Laura Mae Johnson and Mary Jane Shuey; three brothers-in-law, Kenneth Johnson, Philip Shuey, and Raymond Hough.
Memorials may be directed to the American Kidney Fund.
Dr. William B. Will, age 90, of Huron, passed away on Monday, August 10, 2020, at his home in Huron. His private Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish in Huron with interment at St. Martin’s Cemetery in Huron. Visitation will be from 3 to 6:30 PM on Monday, August 17, 2020 at Welter Funeral Home in Huron. Family will be present from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. A Rosary and Scripture service will begin at 6:30 PM on Monday evening. CDC guidelines will be in place and masks are required. Visit www.welterfuneralhome.com to sign the online guestbook.