William (Bill) McDaniel
William (Bill) McDaniel, 92, passed away on February 6, 2022, at his home in Gilbert, Arizona.
Bill was born February 2, 1930, to Frank and Esther (Burke) McDaniel in Lantry, SD. He attended grade school in Lantry, SD and graduated from Santa Monica High School in California in 1948.
Bill served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict from 1951 until 1953, of which 17 months were spent in Japan.
Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Bill returned to Lantry and married Wanda Parker on June 26th, 1954. To this union, nine children were born. Wanda passed away from cancer on March 15, 1979.
Bill and Wanda moved to California after their marriage so Bill could attend Northrup Aeronautical Institute for aviation mechanics. They spent two years in California. Upon graduation, Bill and Wanda lived in Las Vegas where Bill worked as an aviation mechanic. In 1958 they moved back to Lantry to operate the Lantry Garage with his father and brothers. He continued to operate the garage until they discontinued the Chevrolet dealership in 1972 and eventually closed.
After several years as a student pilot, Bill received his private pilot’s license in 1966. In 1963 Bill and Dean Hunt formed Crop Care by Air. Bill continued operating this business until selling it to his son, Don in 2001. In 1975, he purchased farmland and continued farming, with his son Dean, until 1990.
Twenty-eight years after Wanda passed away, Bill found love again and married Dianne Vande Velde on April 4, 2007. In addition to Dianne, Bill gained three wonderful stepdaughters and four grandchildren.
Bill enjoyed playing euchre with the neighbors in Lantry and especially his grandchildren. He also loved to dance and frequented dances in the Lantry and Dupree area.
He is survived by his wife, Dianne, nine children, Kathy (Tim) Coss, Dean (Doreen), David (Tammy), Carolyn (Mark) Johnson, Brian (Sharon), Sheila (Dan) Coss, Michelle (Dan) Martin, Tim (Laura), Don (Kim), and three stepdaughters, Tera (Kip) Mau, Dana Bennett, and Toya Kinnett. He is also survived by two sisters in law, Dee Parker and Vicky (Gary) Warner. He leaves many fond memories with his children, 32 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Wanda, parents, brothers and spouses, Marion, Gailen (Lois), and Jim (Betty).
Graveside services for Bill will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the Lantry Cemetery. Following the graveside services, the family is planning a reception at the Dupree Community Hall for all family and friends.
