Funeral Service: Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth
Burial: will follow in the Forsyth Cemetery with full military honors
William Eldon Deering, of Forsyth, MT, better known as Dad, or Bill or Grampa, born February 26, 1922, passed away just before Easter on March 31st, 2010.
Bill was the second of five children born to Walter and Doris (Gilman) Deering in Lead, South Dakota. Though Bill graduated from high school in Rapid City, SD in 1941, his education began much earlier as he rode the range with his brother Dick, under the close eye of their father. Bill, ever proud of his cowboy heritage, not only spent innumerable hours in the saddle, sometimes from sunup to sundown on long, hot summer days, but he also perfected those skills breaking horses and working as a ranch hand throughout South Dakota and Wyoming.
Even to the last stories Bill would tell with a twinkle in his eye, a beer in his hand, and a laugh on his lips, he was forever the proud, young cowhand that lived on a horse on the western plains.Soon after Pearl Harbor, Bill was finally able to enlist in the Navy in October 1942. His Navy service included intense training as a gunners mate on the USS Birmingham, a light destroyer in the invasion of North Africa in the Mediterranean Sea and the invasion of Sicily. Bill was reassigned to the South Pacific among the many battles and forays there included the historical naval battle preventing the Japanese incursion into Australia. The tragedies witnessed during that and other battles, and the fact that the tough youngster lived through them, entitled Bill to the recognition of a Purple Heart medal. As was his nature, Bill declined the award, stating All I lost was part of my finger. Many men lost much more. I don't need a Purple Heart. Through the pain he saw and the friends he lost, Bill continued his naval career as a boatswains mate, second class on the amphibious assault vessel the USS Handsford, traveling to a number of atoll islands including Iwo Jima, during which he was on the third invasion task force.
In addition to service in Saipan and Okinawa, Bill also told stories of the clandestine activities and whisperings going on while he kept his head down and mouth shut in 1944 while stationed in Tokoyo Bay. He later discovered the frenetic activity led up to the signing of the unconditional surrender of the Japanese, ending World War II. True to his character Bill stood at the center of much of US history, but related little to those who knew him best. Instead, Bill lived by the motto Treat a man like a man, expect the best he can give, and the work will get done. Well, that and his OTHER motto Beer is for surviving, whiskey is for drinking. Upon Bill's honorable discharge from the Navy, he traveled back to South Dakota. A welcoming pie social in New Underwood drew his attention, as did the one and only mincemeat pie to be found at the social. As tradition demands, the pies at the social had to be purchased and consumed by the young men in order to find the name of the young lady who made the pie at the bottom of the tin. To his great delight the name of Marguerite Johnson, the sister of Bill's good friend Francis, appeared among the crumbs of that mincemeat pie. Though Marguerite had begged her mother not to make such as pie, as apple and cherry were the young men's favorites it was the beginning of a beautiful and long relationship. Rugged, tough, handsome Bill and the lovely, petite Marguerite were married in late October of 1947 in Rapid City. Their life began where Bills life had left off as a ranch hand and cowboy living the life he loved best.
Soon the family began to grow, as did the need for steady income and work. Thermopolis, Wyoming became the anchor of the Deering Family, every one of the seven children was born in Thermop, beginning with Chuck in 1948 and ending with Jan in 1961. His occupation took the family from Thermopolis to Meteetse WY to Montrose CA to Chester, MT, Red Wing, MN and finally to the town of Forsyth, MT in 1973. Bills steadying influence was always apparent, even during the long days he spent away from the family whether that was working concrete, driving truck, blasting tunnels or working construction. Bill never had a formal education in any of the fields he excelled in, but he worked long hours, used every ounce of his tough sinewy strength and still found time to be at every childs graduation, even if that meant missing many ball games and small celebrations. Bill proved himself to be a patient father, demanding but fair, just as he was with the many men he supervised throughout his working life. Bill immersed himself in the work at hand, but he was always planning his next hunting trip with his kids, his next home project, or what work must be done on his own vehicles. He never lacked for something to do, never found himself bored, but was always ready to welcome a stranger or a friend into his home. He was generous with his time, open in his communication and willing to help whenever and where ever he was needed. Bill retired from retired Carpenters Union 1172 in Billings, MT in 1984.Though Bill would always rather be ranching, he willingly and lovingly laid aside that dream for the needs of his family. That family, grounded by the enduring love of Bill and his soul mate Marguerite, has come together to celebrate a man they are just coming to realize was a magnificent American, proud of his heritage and honor, but humble in revealing the many aspects of his character.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Marguerite, his parents Walter Butch and Doris Deering, his son Chuck, sisters Lucille Hanlon and Mary Papka and infant grandson Rylan Curtis Zuelke.
Bills surviving family members include his children, Donna Reid of Havre, MT, Todd (Jane) of Forsyth, MT, Diane Gish of Chester, MT, Ray of Billings, MT, Mark of LaHabra, CA and Jan (Lance) of Havre, MT; his sister, Lois Pederson of Billings, and brother Dick (Mary) of Snohomish, WA. Grampa Bill is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 16 great grand children.
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