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Submitted: 3/19/22 • Approved: 3/24/22 • Last Updated: 3/27/22 • R273953-G273953-S3
Leon Glenn Bill
April 15, 1929 - June 4, 2021
Leon Glenn Bill, age 92, died June 4th, 2021, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Leon was born April 15, 1929, in Stafford County, Kansas, the son of Adolph and Mary (Hildebrand) Bill. He spent his youth in Stafford where he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at the age of nine as a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
During the ninth grade, a pretty girl smiled at Leon one day across study hall and caught his attention. That woman, Darline Thole, became his wife several years later when Leon and Darline were married on June 2, 1950 in Stafford, Kansas. They celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary on June 2nd, 2021, two days before Leon's passing.
After high school, Leon attended seminary in Rochester, New York, followed by Northern Baptist Seminary in Chicago and North American Seminary in Sioux Falls. His first pastorship was in Ingersoll and Okeene, Oklahoma, followed by pastorships in West Fargo, North Dakota and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After retiring from the ministry, he was Director of Planned Giving for ten years at Sioux Falls College (now known as University of Sioux Falls).
Leon enjoyed photography and stamp collecting, and was a skilled craftsman in woodworking. During his life he constructed many objects in his wood shop for family members, all of which are cherished to this day. Everything Leon produced was exact and done to perfection. His attention to detail and to "doing it right" are traits which he passed on to his children and grandchildren in his own, quietly understated way. He set a good example for all by being a role model of a strong work ethic and pride in a job well done.
Survivors are his wife, Darline, and sister Dorine Hanger of Stafford, as well as his son Larry and daughter-in-law Carol Bill of Minden, Nebraska; daughter Ramona Sinkey of Sioux Falls, daughter Maxine and son-in-law Mike Handy of Lake City, Florida, and son, Kevin Bill of San Francisco, California. Leon is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Those who preceded him in death are his parents and his brother-in-law James Hanger, all of Stafford, Kansas.
Visitation will be at Heritage Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, with family present from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Leon's funeral will be held at First Baptist Church in Sioux Falls on Thursday, June 10th, at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Charles Hiatt presiding. The family invites you to join them for a time of lunch and fellowship following the service. Leon's funeral will be livestreamed.
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Contributed on 3/19/22 by 9katz
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Record #: 273953