William Michael Bierne

William “Bill” Bierne, 81, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Aberdeen, with Father Michael Kapperman officiating.

Burial is at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors.

Visitation is 5-7 p.m., Monday, at the mortuary with a liturgical wake and rosary at 7 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour before Mass at the church.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and also view the service at www.schriversmemorial.com.

William “Bill” Bierne was called home on March 23, 2022, at the age of 81. He was born August 18, 1940, in Watertown, SD, the third of five children of Loren and Jean (Waldron) Bierne. He was raised on family farms in the Henry and Grover areas of Northeast SD and loved and appreciated the farm life for all of his days.

He graduated from Henry High School in 1958 and enlisted in the US Navy in January, 1959. Through his service in the Navy, he was able to travel throughout the Pacific Ocean, with memories of Japan, Hong Kong, Hawaii, and of Typhoon “Nancy.” He was honorably discharged in January of 1963, serving his entire enlistment aboard the USS Cavalier. His military service and his ship were a source of immense pride for him throughout his life.

After Bill’s service, he returned to South Dakota and married Carol Stark in 1964. To this union, three sons were born: Tom, Pat, and Jon. In 1980, he married Ruth Kellen-Butts and gained three more children: Mike, Matt, and Cathy. Bill and Ruth made their home and their life together in Aberdeen until Ruth’s death in January 2014. In July, 2016, Bill married Pat Derzab, adding John, David, and Sonja to his family.

Bill spent many years in the farm implement business with International, John Deere, and Farmhand. He worked for years at Sandvig’s, Country General, and finally as the Maintenance Supervisor at Aberdeen Catholic School System, where he stayed until his ‘retirement.’ Bill continued working at Aberdeen Chrysler Center and Runnings Store after retirement. He always gave an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay and never dodged a task.

Bill loved people and projects. He enjoyed working with his hands and could usually be found working or planning his next project. His family and friends are surrounded by the works of his hands that he has left behind, a symbol of his love for them and of his work. His greatest love was family and friends.

Bill loved hosting and gathering people together and enjoyed sharing a drink or meal. His door was always open for anyone. He loved grilling out, and his backyard cookouts fed many meals to those he loved the most. Bill loved Aberdeen and the people there. He was always running into someone he knew, and never avoided a kind word or smile with anyone.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bob; wife, Ruth; stepson, Matt Butts; and son, Tom (Michelle), Sioux Falls. He is survived by his wife, Pat, of Aberdeen; his brother, Larry (Jan), Bellingham, WA; sister, Margie Miller, Pismo Beach, CA; Sister Kathleen, Aberdeen; his sons: Mike Butts (JoAnn), Watertown, Pat Bierne (Carla), Aberdeen, Jon Bierne (Scarlett) of Pierre; daughter, Cathy Hilzendeger (Tony) of Rapid City; stepchildren: David Derzab (Jody Bush), Victoria, MN, John Derzab, Hot Springs, and Sonja Holman (Jeremiah) of Aberdeen; 12 grandchildren: Erika Hanson (Josh Friesen) of Akaska, Kellen Butts of Watertown, Levi Butts, Watertown, Justin Bierne (Rachel) Aberdeen, Chrisandra Bierne, of Aberdeen, Michael Bierne, Sioux Falls, Savanna Bierne, Vermillion, Andrew and Sara Bierne, Pierre, Evan and Owen Derzab, Hot Springs, and Madalynn Holman, Aberdeen; and three great-grandchildren.

Bill was a member of St. Mary’s Parish for most of his adult life and was a big supporter of Roncalli schools. He was confident in his faith and took comfort from it. He was always positive, upbeat, and felt blessed no matter the circumstances. His life was well-lived. Bill will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be sent to the Roncalli Tuition Assistance.

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