George William “Bill” Bartholomew

George William “Bill” Bartholomew, 66, died April 22, 2011 at his home in Lemmon, S.D. Memorial services are planned this week for him in South Dakota.

Bill went the distance in a battle that started with heart disease in 2008 and cancer in 2010. He fought the battle quietly and courageously and his final days were spent with family and friends at his side in his Lemmon home.

Bill was born to George and Bessie Bartholomew in Philip, S.D., on July 28, 1944. His family moved to Lemmon in 1946, and Bill attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and Lemmon High School.

Though small in stature, Bill was an outstanding, tenacious athlete and played basketball and baseball as a student athlete for the Black Hills State Yellow Jackets for two years.

He then transferred to Forest Lawn Mortuary School to pursue a degree in mortuary science. Upon completion of these studies he helped Bud Hall Funeral Homes in Philip and Pierre, then moved to Alaska to start his professional career.

He later joined the Anchorage City Fire Department, making a career of this profession while also doing some mortician work. He retired with the rank of Captain.

The outdoor recreation possibilities were instrumental in drawing Bill to Alaska, and he made the most of using his spare time to hunt and fish, as well as guiding for others. His summer salmon camp on the Kenai was a gathering spot for many friends and relatives from the Lower 48, and produced as many great stories as it did big fish. Hunting expeditions also produced stories wilder than the game.

Bill was also very active in the summer collegiate baseball programs in Alaska, and was past president of the Mat-Su Miners Baseball Club. Where else can you play ball in the daylight for 20 hours a day?

Bill married Liz Bell in 1970, and together they raised her two children, Donna and Wayne. They also adopted a little boy, Brandon. They remained active in the lives of their 11 grandchildren. Liz died unexpectedly in 2008 while tending to Bill during his recovery from heart surgery.

Bill retired from the Anchorage fire department in 1993 and began splitting his time between Alaska and South Dakota, following the hunting seasons. He would provide vacation relief for several funeral directors in north central South Dakota. When cold weather hit, he and Liz would go to her home state of Mississippi for the winter. With golf becoming a major pastime, the green grass of the Ole’ Miss fairways was welcome, indeed. After Liz’s passing Bill became close to her widowed sister Lois, and she and Bill gradually became a couple. Lois was instrumental in getting Bill through his heart rehab and cancer treatments. But she lovingly and sadly encouraged his return to Lemmon where he chose to spend his few final days in his home with his “northern” family and friends.

Surviving are Lois; three adult children; 11 grandchildren; 10 brothers and sisters, Marie (Bob) Wolbach of Calif.; Tom (Linda) of Faulkton, Jean (Larry) Fritz of Lemmon, Ralph (Fern) of Wyoming; Charles (Leslie) of Calif.; Ken (Twyla) of Fort Pierre, Susan (Alvin) Schopp of N.D., Don of Ariz.; David of Faulkton, and Teresa Bohn, of Aberdeen. Bill also has 35 nephews and nieces from this large family.

Preceding him in death as his wife, Liz; twin brothers Gary and Larry who died shortly after birth in 1942; and his parents.

And we all shall remember his close attachment to his hunting dog and constant sidekick, Dixie.

And they should. Guys like this are becoming a rarity in these fast changing, “modern” times. He will be missed.

Condolences to Bill’s family can be sent to evansonjensenfuneralhome.com.