Funeral services for William E. "Sonny" Isburg, 72, of Lower Brule, SD will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 3, 2024 at the Hickey Funeral Chapel in Chamberlain, SD and departing at 11:00 a.m. for burial at the St. John's Episcopal Cemetery at Crow Creek, SD.  Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Hickey Funeral Chapel in Chamberlain.

View Folder Here

William Ernest Isburg was born on April 20th 1952 at Chamberlain, SD to Bill and Betty (McGhee) Isburg.   He passed away at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls in the company of his three children on July 30, 2024.  William E. went by "Bill" to some but was known as "Sonny" to most.   He spent his childhood between Pierre, Bad Nation, and Crow Creek.  He attended elementary school at Shelby, SD in the Crow Creek District and graduated from high school at Stephan in 1970.

Sonny appreciated an honest day of hard work.  He and Deb owned and operated Isburg Service and he spent many years as a heavy equipment operator for the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and for Ready Plumbing and Heating.  He was a man with strong hands and a strong constitution; anyone he met had an equal chance at being a decent person in his eyes.  He helped many who were down and out by offering a place to stay, supplying a vehicle, and employing those who just needed a break and some cash.  There was never a "you owe me" at the end of any of his offers.

Sonny's life was filled with many escapades; including but not limited to bull riding, high speed chases, car racing (known as "The Sioux Speeder" in the red and yellow double odd), and finally horse racing.     He once told us that he "forgot more about going fast than most people know."  The qualities he looked for in a horse were good conformation, a kind eye, a love of peppermint candy and the ability to stand while being shod. He always loved a good grey horse.  A jack of all trades and master of some.   He was an accomplished welder and fabricator, a farrier, a mechanic who could tune a motor by ear, and could swing a hammer with the best of them.

Sonny married Debra Estes and together they raised their four kids on the ranch six miles west of Lower Brule.  He made sure that before his kids left the place they could change a tire, hold a flashlight in the right place and have the ability to take an ass chewing.   All valuable life lessons.

Sonny is survived by his kids and their families:  Wyatt and Tracy (Quint)  Isburg of Sioux Falls,  Staci and Eddie Martinez and their sons Isaac and William of Waynesville, MO, and Casey and Justin Wenzlaff and their sons Owen and Abel of Humboldt, SD.   He also leaves behind his siblings Myra Isburg, Rosie (Bob) Pickner, Sandra Isburg , Emery Isburg , Eddie Isburg and Tony Isburg and their families.   Welcoming him home are his wife Deb, son Jesse, his parents, his sisters Nancy and Robbie, his special uncle Donnie McGhee, and his nephew Elijah Sazue.