Darrel William "Bill" McDermott

Aberdeen - Darrel William “Bill” McDermott, 77, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2004, in Aberdeen. The celebration of his life will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 1, 2005, at the First Presbyterian Church, 318 S. Kline Street. with Rev. John Whetzel officiating. Schriver's Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, Aberdeen, in charge of arrangements. Bill was born in Britton, S.D., to Mabel (Kenner) McDermott and John P. McDermott, Jan. 6, 1927. He attended Britton High School and left for the Army in 1945 to serve in Italy during WWII. During that time he worked in Special Services and organized music events for the USO. He returned to the United States in 1947 to attend Commercial College at Mankato, Minn., and University of Wisconsin School of Banking. He married Helen Jean Warren, Sept. 12, 1947, at Britton, S.D. Bill started his banking career in 1947 at the First National Bank of Aberdeen in Britton, S.D. He moved to the First National Bank of Winnebago, Minn., for the next four years. His career then led him to Aberdeen where he become the Vice President of the First National Bank in 1954. In 1975 Bill and Helen moved to Fullerton, Calif., where he became president and CEO of the El Camino Bank in Anaheim. He retired from banking in 1990. They returned to Aberdeen for the warm weather months and spent the winters in Palm Desert, Calif. The love and development of his community was very important to Bill. He was actively associated with the Jaycees and served as the King of the Gyps, past president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Community Chest, a member of the Aberdeen Country Club and a founding member of Moccasin Creek Country Club. He also served on the Aberdeen Development Corporation and was the 1972 State Finance Chairman for the Republican Party. These are just a few of Bill's many involvements and accomplishments. Bill always treasured his many friendships. He found common ties with friends through music, golf, travel, community events and the OFCC at Murphy's. Bill's first love was his family. His wife Helen and he shared 57 years of marriage. They have two children, Dennis (Patricia) and Mary McDermott, both of Aberdeen. Bill became the proud grandfather of five grandchildren: Maria (Carl) Morton of Omaha, Neb., Matt (Christa) McDermott of Thief River Falls, Minn., Maci (Greg) McDermott-Fowler of Aberdeen and Sophia and Denham McDermott of Aberdeen. From these grandchildren came five great-grandchildren: Rylan, Jacob, Haley, Jordan and Miles William, all of whom were with him this past Christmas. His family and friends will miss his humor, his stories, his bear hugs, his wisdom, his piano playing and his tenacity.