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Merle Waddell Obituary

BLACK HAWK - Merle W. "Bill" Waddell, 58, Black Hawk, died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005, at his residence. Bill is survived by his wife Paula Waddell, Black Hawk; 3 daughters, Jill ReNae Waddell, Frances E. Warren AFB, WY; and her fiance Ronnie Fischer, Ellsworth AFB; Tara Leanne and husband Ryan Santjer; Tricia Marie Waddell; all of Black Hawk; 2 sons, Blake Edwin and wife Melissa Waddell, Mitchell; Tyson William Waddell and fiancé Lindsey Lewis, Rapid City; 4 grandchildren, Tevyn Waddell, 6; Regan Waddell, 2; Landon Waddell, 9 months, all of Mitchell; Jaden Santjer, 2 months, Black Hawk; stepfather and mother, H.O. "Ben" and Elva Ellwein, Black Hawk; 2 brothers, Donald and wife Peggy Waddell, Ridgeview, SD; Robert and wife Esther Waddell, Bonesteel; sister-in-law, Joyce Waddell, Bison; and numerous nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his father, Frederick Edwin Waddell; 1 brother, Jack Waddell; sister-in-law Judy Waddell and 1 niece Jana Waddell. We will love you and miss you. Husband Dad Grandpa Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 28, 2005, at South Canyon Lutheran Church with Rev. Bruce Thalacker officiating. Condolences may be conveyed to the family at www.behrenswilson.com Arrangements are in the care of Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home.
Published by Rapid City Journal on Feb. 26, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Merle Waddell

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Blake Waddell

February 20, 2020

Hard to believe it has been 15years in a few days since you left us Dad! Love the fact though that we can all rest assured you and mom are watching over us all! Love you and Miss you both so much!!

Jesse Martin

March 6, 2005

Sorry I did not get time to sit and chat. Bill was a tremendous man and as my brother Jared put it, he helped me out so much in the hardest time in my life I have ever had to face. That is a token of how big of a heart and soul Bill, Paula and the rest of the Waddell family have. Keep the memories lasting and LAUGH. He will be greatly missed.

Jim Kuchta

March 6, 2005

Paula and Family, So sorry to hear of Bill's death. Bill was a great guy and so proud of his family. He was fun to be around. Bill was one of the 'good guys', I will remember him forever.

Robin Meyer

March 4, 2005

My thoughts and condolences are with Bill's family. I remember him teaching school in Bison and he was just out of college, I think 21 years old. Not much older than his students.

Blake Waddell

March 4, 2005

Mom, Jill, Ron, Melissa, Tara, Ryan, Tricia, Tyson, Lindsey, Tevyn, Regan, and Landon (and all others):



It is truly an honor and a privelige to call you all family. Dad was such a lrage part of all of our lives and he had such a huge impact on all of us. It is impossible to express what he meant to all of us. I know that he meant different things to each one of us, but I also know that he was "dad" to all of us (grandpa to some). Dad was a beautiful man. He never wanted anything other than the best for all of us. I know that dad is looking donw on us and he has that big old, tooth missing grin that we remember so much. (even though he had it fixed) I know that he would be so proud of the way that we came together as a family in this time. I truly believe that dad was left here by God to make sure that each of us had gotten rid of our differences toward one another so that when God took him, he was at peace with all things. Like dad always said, there will never be anything that God will put on our plate that we cannot handle. To all of you, please rely on the strength that God gives each of us and also rely on the things that dad taught us to prepare us in life. Dad will be greatly missed by all of us more that he could ever had imagined, but I also know that he will never leave us and that he will always be right by us. I believe that firmly. Dad was a man that I nor any of you will ever be ashamed to call our father and grandfather. I said it so many times in the days after dad passed, but I have top stress it again. Dad was the best at anything that he ever did. It was just the time for God to use his "champion angel" for a purpose that we may never know. Rely on this though. Whenever the day comes for our turn to be with God, that Dad will be waiting there with open arms for a great reunion. I know that so much of this sounds so unclear and that I have been babbling, so I will cut it short. I love each and every one of you and I know that dad did as well. We need to be strong for one another and for mom and remeber that we only get one chance to be a family. That is the legacy that dad has left behind. We need to honor him and lead our lives to the fullest. I Love all of you and "Dad, I MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU!!!!"



Your son,

Blake

Jared Martin

March 4, 2005

Being in a state of denial from my own fathers unexpected trip to the other side, one vivid memory of Bill engulfs my memory. After dad had passed, I honestly do not remember much of anything. I was numb for months. Bill and Paula made it through the week after the funeral. It was such a pleasant experience and I cannot express how much I appreciate it. Bill went on to tell Mom, Jesse and I about his experience with his father and how he left him at an early age. He went on to explain how he felt. I write this because if there was one person who really set me forth in the acceptance of losing dad,,,,it was Bill. His presence, jolly, wise demeanor reminded me of dad so much and I found his experience with the loss of his own father, all too soon, very familiar with me. I cannot write for my brother, but you two (Bill and Paula) really made a lasting impression in our hearts and minds. He will always be BILL the great father, neighbor, citizen, friend. Can you name any father who built his kids the only "round" playhouse ever? His smile and huge presence speaks for itself. I feel your pain and mourn with you. Trust in the lord as Bill told me. And it is o.k. to be mad. He is always with you. You have been blessed by your father. His colossal love for you was obviously seen by any passer by. You are all beautiful and represent him in everyway imaginable. He is in your smiles, memories, and many future stories. So as Bill would say "raise your head", "you will never be without him". It is surreal how I am unable to determine if the last year crawled by or went by with the blink of an eye. Moments stick with me seeming as if time were paused, and then I think it seems as if I lost my dad just yesterday, and a year has already passed. It goes to say, they will greet us as if we were never away from them. With sorrow and love, Jared

P.S. Blake I still plan on callin ya, sorry for procrastination.

Mike and Alice Clapham

March 3, 2005

Paula and Kids,

Our condolences to you and your family for the loss of Bill. Alice and I will always remember the great times we had with Bill, you and your family. I will always fondly remember the great fun my son and I had with Bill and the boys hunting. I am sure that Tyson will remember as well. We had such great times together. Our prayers are with you and your family in your time of grief. Alice, I and our family will be thinking of yours



Mike and Alice Clapham

Nick Conway

March 2, 2005

So sorry about the loss your family has suffered. Our condolences and prayers are with you all.



Frank Conway Family

Evelyn Swank (Rath)

March 2, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. Bill was my bus driver, high school teacher and fellow AFLAC worker in South Dakota.

Darell & Marileen Tilberg

February 28, 2005

We were so sorry to hear about Bill. We remember him as the healthy, happy guy who lived across the street, and now we live in your house!

Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

Darell, Marileen, Eric & Lindsey

John and Shirley Martinez

February 28, 2005

Bill was a wonderful storyteller and a great friend. We will miss him. Our love and prayers go to all of you during this difficult time.

Bison School

February 28, 2005

We are sorry to hear of your loss.

Bill taught here at the Bison School for several years. Our thoughts are with you at this time.

Brian Ireland

February 28, 2005

Our deepest sympathy,



Brian, Tara And Faith.

Bob and Vikki French

February 28, 2005

We were saddened to hear of the loss of our friend Bill. Lynsey, Meggan, and Dustin also wanted to convey their condolences. I will miss his stories and hearty laghter.

Sarah Krikac

February 27, 2005

Tyson and family,

Thinking of you in this time of loss. Sorry I couldn't be there but you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Sarah

Corey Hill & Family

February 27, 2005

Our condolences to the entire family. May you find strength in the Lord.

Deann (Martin) Langdeau

February 27, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. I have many, many fond memories of all of you guys when you lived across the street in Onida. Jill, my good friend; Blake, my brothers' icky friend (just kidding); the twin's Trisha and Tara; and Tyson. Remember all of the LAUGHS and all of the good things, you are a product of your parents! It made it easier after my own Dad died.

Nancy, David, Kaitlyn & Ethan Janak

February 27, 2005

So sorry for your loss. Bill was a wonderful man and we will miss seeing him in the neighborhood (and on the bus). Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Phil and Gwen Cowherd

February 26, 2005

Thinking and praying for you during this time of sorrow.

Greg Fried

February 26, 2005

Sorry to read of Bill's passing. He was my biology teacher in high school at Bison. I really enjoyed having him as my teacher. My prayers are with Bill's family at this time .

Jeff Waddell

February 26, 2005

Blessings to you Paula and family. We are praying for you and share in the sorrow of losing an uncle with a fun laugh and a big heart. May you find peace in God in this time.



Jeff, Melissa & girls

Holly Waddell

February 26, 2005

Paula, Elva, Ben and family,



Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you today as we remember Bill. Words cannot truly express our sympathies.



May your faith be your strength as you face the future, and may memories of happy times replace the pain of today's loss.



Love to all,



Lynn and Holly

Stephanie Sorensen (Lewis)

February 26, 2005

Paula and Family..

I am so sorry for your loss. Though I didn't know him personally, I feel as if I did. When Tyson & Lindsey came to Phoenix last summer, I can remember countless stories told by Tyson of him and his dad. Bill did "the ranch chores" for my dad when he came to visit. Lindsey always talked highly of Bill. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.



Stephanie Sorensen and family

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