LOWER BRULE, SD – William “Bill” Gayton, Jr., 88, of Lower Brule, South Dakota, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, mentor, and friend passed away peacefully on February 16, 2026, at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre, South Dakota, surrounded by his family.

Bill was born on September 28, 1937, in Fort Yates, North Dakota to Aurelia (Waggoner-daughter of Sioux Historian Josephine Waggoner) Gayton and William Gayton Sr. He was a proud member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and Hunkpapa Lakota Nation. Throughout his life, he carried great pride in his heritage, his family, and the many communities he served.

Bill is survived by his devoted wife, Janelle (Estes) Gayton of Lower Brule; his children William M. Gayton (Brigitta) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Lona Gayton of Minnetonka, Minnesota, Gina (Little Spotted Horse) Still Smoking (Louis) of Browning, Montana, granddaughter Sara Gayton of Friendswood, Texas, grandsons Ezekiel, Isaac, Seth and Adam Still Smoking of Browning, Montana, great grandson Gary Howarth Jr of Friendswood, Texas, and his sister Diane (Gayton) Schneider of Terre Haute, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

As a young boy, Bill attended Marty Indian School (Marty Mission) in Marty, South Dakota. There he discovered and developed his natural athletic abilities in basketball and baseball. He often joked, “there wasn’t anything else to do”. Later, he reunited with his father in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where he attended Aberdeen Central High School and graduated with the Class of 1956. Although not the tallest basketball player on the court, he was known for his speed, ball handling, and jumping ability, which former teammates still describe as “amazing”, earning the respect of teammates and competitors alike.

Following high school, Bill proudly enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Being a Marine was a source of great pride throughout his life. During his military service, he forged lifelong friendships that endured for more than sixty years. Those friendships meant the world to him and his fellow Marines remained “his guys” to the very end.

After his honorable service, Bill returned to Aberdeen and attended Northern State College, now Northern State University. He continued his passion for athletics through amateur basketball, baseball, and softball. During this time, he met and married Shirely (Rath) Gayton, and together they welcomed their son, William, and daughter Lona. They shared sixteen years of marriage.

Years later, Bill found lasting love with Janelle (Estes) Gayton. For more than forty years, he affectionately and mockingly referred to her as, “his bride”. When he married Janelle, he lovingly embraced her daughter, Gina, as his own. Their marriage brought him an extended family, countless meaningful relationships, and a lifetime of cherished memories.

Bill never met a stranger. His warmth, amazing smile and laugh, sense of humor, and genuine interest in others created lasting friendships wherever he went. Whether in town, across the state, or hundreds of miles from home, it seemed there was always someone who knew Bill and had a story to share about him.

His work life reflected his dedication to serving others. Among many roles throughout the years, he worked as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service before a disability ended his career, he worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and he proudly retired from United Sioux Tribes. In his younger years, he also enjoyed fishing and creating Native American artwork through Gayton Originals.

Sports remained one of the great passions of Bill’s life. Beyond playing, he dedicated himself to developing athletic programs, officiating games, and coaching generations of young athletes. He was inducted into the South Dakota Amateur Basketball Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the game. In baseball, Bill competed in five state tournaments, winning a state championship in 1963, officiating four state tournaments, and managed Sandy’s of Aberdeen to the 1969 state title. He also officiated Aberdeen City League basketball games for five years.

In later years, Bill devoted decades of service to Pierre Post 8 Legion Baseball. More than teaching the fundamentals of the game, he invested in young people, helping them develop confidence, character, discipline, and life skills. His impact extended far beyond the baseball field and remained evident long after his coaching days ended. In recognition of his extraordinary influence, his family accepted the Pierre Post 8 Hometown Hero Award on his behalf in June 2026. Even after his passing, former players continued to honor him, a testament to the lives he touched and the legacy he leaves behind.

Above all, Bill loved his family. He was proud of his children, grandchildren, extended family, and the many friendships he cultivated throughout his life. He lived with kindness, loyalty, humor, always willing to lend a hand, offer encouragement, or share a story.

Though our hearts ache in his absence, we take comfort in knowing that the love, wisdom, and lessons he shared will remain with us forever. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, the athletes he mentored, the friendships he treasured, and the family he loved so deeply.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 26th, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Isburg Funeral Chapel, 439 S. Pierre St., Pierre, South Dakota, 57501

Come with your memories, stories, and love as we celebrate a life well lived and a man who will never be forgotten.

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