William C Hagman

William Charles Hagman, 94, went home to the Lord peacefully on June 16th, 2025 with his beloved Wife by his side.
"Billy" was born on October 2, 1930 to John and Ruth (Phillips) Hagman on their small homestead south of Oelrichs, SD. Bill was the 4th child born in 4 short years. In 1934, John and Ruth moved their family to the Pine Ridge Reservation on The White River where John built a tar paper shack and corrals. There, they welcomed 2 more boys.
Bill's parents moved from The White River to the land that they bought on Black Tail Creek in the early 50s. They moved the house that John built on two cottonwood trees with a catapillar and a team of horses and set it on a foundation
Bill mostly grew up on The White River. He and his brothers and sister and a few other kids attended a small school built by John across Black Tail Creek. Bill then attended high school through his junior year in Oelrichs. When he was a senior, his dad got a house in Chadron, NE for all the kids to go to school, and Bill graduated from Chadron Prep Academy at 16 yrs old.
Bill was a rambunctious and spritly boy. He was known for causing a ruckus with his brothers to get a rise and find themselves in a heated wrestling match. But he also, in the 40s, played baseball with his younger brother Tommy; Bill was the catcher and Tommy was the pitcher. While Tommy attended Chadron Prep Bill helped him become one of the star athletes in football.
Following high school, Bill traveled to Pierre, SD to work construction for his Uncle Chick Hagman. After a year or so, he decided it was time to find his way home to ranch and be back on the prairie where his heart belonged.
Bill acquired his ranching skills and horsemanship through the hard work and perseverance instilled in him by his father, along side his two older brothers, Jack and Walt. But he also knew how to have fun. In his twenties, you could find him at any dance within a 100 mile radius with his older brothers and sister. It was his love for dancing that brought him to meet Deloris, his forever dance partner at a fireman's ball in Hot Springs, SD.
Bill and Deloris Davis were married on October 7, 1960. He moved his horse-loving new bride to the reservation to start a lifelong endeavor of ranching. They welcomed 3 children to their union: Kristy Renae, Stewart James, and Victoria Ann. In 1983, he was given the title of Grandpa and went on to welcome 13 more grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren in the years to follow.
His father John passed away in 1970, and Bill continued to run the ranch while his mother lived on the ranch until her passing in 1991. Bill and Deloris expanded the ranch in the early 1970s by running considerably more cattle. They started farming in the late 1970s through the mid 2000s, raising wheat, barley, and oats. In his free time, you could bet Bill was finding his way to Angostura Reservoir to water ski. He and friends, Glen and Dave Reaser, built a 6ft ski jump. Many a days were spent on the lake with his family and friends.
He passed on his love for ranching to his family, teaching them to ride and tend to cattle. Bill's love for sports was also deeply imprinted with his family. His greatest joys were going to games, matches, recitals, rodeos, and concerts. Bill enjoyed watching his children and nephews in sporting activities. He was known to be a very passionate spectator. His favorite sport to watch was the thrilling and intense wrestling matches involving his son and nephews, where he found immense joy and pride in their skills and determination. He knew his son had what it took to become a champion and moved his kids to Chadron to attend school and wrestle. After Kristy and Stewart graduated, he moved Vicki back to Oelrichs where she graduated. You could find Bill and Deloris at every basketball game, track meet, and band concert Vicki participated in. He was very proud of all of the accomplishments of all his children. This love and passion for sports then carried on with to all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Giving advice on game day was something he insisted on, warranted or not.
Bill, being successful in farming on the prairie, was also successful in growing a beautiful yard. He grew trees and rose bushes that were "award winning." He helped Deloris have a bountiful garden for many of their years. He greatly enjoyed the fresh fruits and vegetables of their labor. In his later years, Bill's TV rarely left the Cowboy Channel. He would hoop and holler for all our local cowboys and cowgirls. Getting to watch his great nephew, Billy, or seeing his great grand daughters state high school and national performances on his TV was something he couldn't wait to tell anyone who would listen. Bill never met a stranger. Especially, if it was a "toeheaded yearling." He loved kids. He never let a toddler pass by him without talking their mother's ears off about how ornery they must be. He loved a well stocked buffet. He could be found on every birthday or any random day at The Golden Corral. Bill claimed he couldn't find a better dinner anyplace else. But we know it was where he could wonder freely and chat with any and ALL patrons. They had a regular waitress for many years that knew them by name and loved chatting back with Bill. Talking was what he did best!! "You hear me?!?"
In 2014, nearing the end of his ranching career, he knew it was time to move off Black Tail Creek, the place he called home his entire life. He entrusted the family homestead to his nephew and neighbor, Wayde Boldon. This decision to sell was the hardest decision of his life, but as time marched on he knew the home place was in great hands. He and Deloris packed up a lifetime of belongings and moved to Piedmont where they established their remaining years.
His legacy is one that will remain for generations to come.
Williams Charles was preceded in death by his father John, mother Ruth, an infant brother James, brother John (Jack), brother Walter, sister Dolores Ruth, nieces Melanie Samuelson and Jackie Hagman.
He is survived by wife Deloris of 64 years; his children Kristy Muldoon of Rapid City, Stewart Hagman of Piedmont, Victoria (Greg) Russ of Wenatchee, WA; his brother, Tommy (Nene) Hagman of Moorpark, CA; his nephew, who was more of a brother, Fred (Jolene) Hagman; his grandchildren Meghan (Colby) Shearer of Wall, SD, Caitlin (Scott) Schaefer of Harrison, NE, Michael Hagman of Oklahoma City, OK, Steven (Katy) Hagman of Clarksville, TN, Brenna Russ of Wenatchee, WA, Veronica (fiance Jacob Paul) Russ of Ferndale, WA, Catrina (Nathaniel) Shipley, of Seattle, WA, Anthony Russ of Wenatchee, WA, Dayne Russ of Wenatchee, WA, and Lily, Jesse, AC, Peter, Kamryn Russ of Wenatchee, WA; his great-grandchildren Kellyn, Terryn, and Taityn Shearer, Weston, Gracyn, Tace, and Tyce Schaefer, Jasper Shipley, and Riley Hagman; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Hot Springs, SD.
Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Prairie View United Methodist Church in Smithwick, SD followed by committal services at Hillside Cemetery in Oelrichs, SD.
Memorials may be sent to Oelrichs Fire Department and Oelrichs Rodeo Club in Bill Hagman's name.