William Sinclair

 William "Bill" Sinclair, age 69, was born June 6, 1943, the third of seven children born to the family of Iven and Faye (Soesbe) Sinclair. He grew up on the family farm eight miles north of Gregory and attended Lone Tree School, District #56, for eight years. He then attended Gregory High School.  After graduating high school, he and Estell (Biggins) were married in 1961. To this union was born two daughters, Stacie Lynn, 1962, and Cheryl Faye, 1964. The family moved to Chamberlain where Bill worked on construction of the Platte-Winner Bridge, which led into a job with the state highway department. After a few years, he set up a satellite store for auto parts, General Trading Co., and later joined the Ford Motor Co. working in the parts department. Moving to Rapid City in the late 70's he joined Universal Transport-TriMac Transportation working as the parts department manager for 31 years. He retired in 2009 with declining health.  Bill passed away July 14, 2012 at Golden Living Center, Prairie Hills, after a prolonged battle with cancer.  Bill enjoyed trains, airplanes, history, poetry, music, crossword puzzles and playing cribbage. He had a passion for reading and gaining knowledge.  Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Janice.  He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Estell Sinclair of Rapid City; two daughters: Stacie Heesch and husband Dan of Mitchell, Cheryl Gray and husband Kyle of Rapid City; seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild; five sisters: Marlene Rae of Louviers, CO, Joan Shoemaker and husband Dick of Gregory, Kay Nikodym of Papillion, NE, Kerri Bockelman and husband Larry of Wisner, NE, Linda Sinclair of Midland and sister-in-law Jeanette Jelinek and husband Milo of Gregory; with three aunts and many nieces, nephews and cousins. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Jesus said, "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way I am going." "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me." "Because I live, you will live also." John 14:2-6, 14 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Memorial services for William Sinclair were held on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 10 a.m. at the Berean Fundamental Church in Gregory with Pastor Scott McClellen officiating. Music was provided by Geoffrey Smith, soloist, singing "Lamb of God" accompanied by Mary Prouty, pianist. Congregational hymns were "Amazing Grace" and "Softly and Tenderly." Honorary Pallbearers were Bill's grandchildren Matt Heesch, Zachary Heesch, Katie Heesch, Emily Heesch, Joe Heesch, Jerad Gray, and Ryan Gray.  Inurnment was in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.