Graveside services for William "Bill" Hansen, 71 of Oacoma will be 10:00 am Saturday, June 13, 2020 at the Riverview Cemetery at Chamberlain.  Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday at the Hickey Funeral Chapel in Chamberlain.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

William "Bill" Hansen was born February 17, 1949 at Pierre, SD to William and Beatrice (Thompson) Hansen.

Bill grew up on the family farm south of Draper and attended Draper School until 1960 when they sold the farm and moved to Chamberlain.  After moving to Chamberlain, Bill attended Chamberlain Schools and was active in football and track.  He graduated from Chamberlain High School in 1968.

After high school, Bill enlisted in the United States Army in 1968 and was stationed in Korea during the Vietnam War.

In 1970, while on leave, Bill came home to marry the love of his life, Sherry Birchfield.  Bill and Sherry celebrated 50 years of marriage in February this year.  To this union, four children were born Angela, Nichole, Melissa, and William "Billy".

Bill returned to Oacoma in 1971 and worked several years in construction.  One project he was proud to have worked on was the construction of the I-90 bridge over the Missouri River in Chamberlain.

Bill served in the South Dakota Army National Guard 200th Engineer Company and worked as a Supply Sergeant until his retirement.  Not a day went by that Bill was not proud of his military service to his country.

After a short retirement, Bill joined the Al's Oasis family and worked there until his second retirement.  He later went back to Al's Oasis until his third and final retirement.  He made friends with everyone that entered that store and loved to visit with them.

Throughout his life, Bill loved to be in the great outdoors.  When he was not working, you could find him at the river and always count on him knowing where the fish were biting.  He made sure to pass this passion on to his children and grandchildren.  If not fishing, he was in the "old house" making bottom bouncers, spinners and sinkers.

Bill passed away on June 8, 2020 with his brother by his side at Sanford Care Center in Chamberlain at the age of 71 years.

Gratefully sharing his life are his wife of 50 years Sherry of Oacoma; children Angela Oliver of Chamberlain, Nichole Muth of Sioux Falls, Melissa (Wes) Chmela of Oacoma, and Bill (Blair) Hansen of Chamberlain; eight grandchildren Ryan Geraets of Harrisburg, Stephanie and Brandon Geraets of Dells Rapids, Kordel, Jayd, and Lyza Chmela of Oacoma, Chase and Hatcher Hansen of Chamberlain; siblings Harlan (Freda) Hendershot of Gillette, WY, Wanda Pickner of Oacoma, and Neil (Dawn) Hansen of Cheyenne, WY; mother-in-law Eva Birchfield of Oacoma; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents William and Beatrice Hansen, father-in-law Joe Birchfield, son-in-law Ron Muth, siblings Harvey and Billy Hendershot, and brother-in-law Lawrence Pickner.