Willard Nash, 1938-2022
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Mar 31, 2022 | 12:39 PM / 814 views
Funeral services for Willard Nash, 84, of Timber Lake will be at 11 AM, Saturday, April 2, 2022, at the Isabel Community Center. Burial will be at Hillview Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be at 6:30 PM with a prayer service at 7:30 PM Friday at the United Parish in Timber Lake. Willard passed away Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, ND.
Willard Lloyd Nash was born on February 15, 1938, in Mobridge, SD, to William and Mary (Meginness) Nash. He joined three brothers, Louis, Edward, and Francis on the family farm northeast of Firesteel and was later joined by a sister, Bertha Lou.
Willard spent his early years living in the Firesteel area. Throughout his early years, Willard lived with various aunts and uncles and with his brother, Francis.
Willard attended schools in Timber Lake, Firesteel, Isabel, Deadwood, Pluma, SD, and Alexandria,VA. After graduating from Isabel High School in 1956, Willard worked with his brother, Edward, cutting
timber in the Black Hills during the summer months. The fall of 1956 found Willard working on the ranch of Ole Drageset west of Isabel. In September of 1957, Willard enrolled at the South Dakota State College in Brookings, SD, taking general courses. While in Brookings, in order for him to get back home, he would often have to hitch hike. This was common for him to do, so he could get back to see the love of his life, Kay Miller.
On November 15, 1958, Willard married his true love, Kay Miller, at a private ceremony in Pierre, SD. They then moved to Lantry, SD, where Willard started his first teaching job, teaching grades one through eight. The following year, Willard and Kay taught in the
Morristown Schools until 1961. Willard and Kay then moved to Isabel where Willard taught in Isabel while Kay taught at the Butte View School west of Glad Valley from 1961-1964. In the fall of 1964, Willard and Kay began teaching in the Timber Lake Schools including Trail City and Timber Lake. In 2003, Kay retired early due to her diagnosis of Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Willard continued to remain in the Timber School system until his retirement in 2007. During his time in Timber Lake, Willard taught math, science, computer science,
K-12 guidance counselor, elementary principal and director of technology. Willard was
instrumental in implementing many technological changes within the school, including
wiring the new addition to the school.
After retiring in 2007, Willard became interested in the restoration of old farm equipment which included several old tractors, mowers, plows, two thrashers and several assorted early farm related items.
Willard and Kay had three children: Colle, Brian and Roxane. Family meant the world to Willard. His grandchildren became an important part of his life after Kay passed away in 2005. He always enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and attending their many events.
Willard was an amazing storyteller. No matter who you were, if he had known you for many years or for only a few hours, you were guaranteed to hear a story. And if you were lucky enough, you would hear the same story multiple times.
For the past year and a half, Willard resided at the Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon, SD, until his death on Tuesday, March 29, at the West River Regional Hospital in Hettinger, ND.
Grateful to have shared his life are his children: sons, Colle (Penny) and Brian (Lisa) ; and daughter, Roxane (Tim); grandchildren: Sara Nash, Drew (Regan) Nash, Tanner (Shelby) Nash, Melissa (Casey) Aberle, Garrett Nash, LaShae Nash; Troy (Whitney) Alley, Ryan (Carly) Alley, Justene Alley, Jessica Alley; great grandchildren: Lincoln Aberle, Trevor Aberle, Jessa Aberle, Kara Aberle; Harper Alley, Layla Alley; and Baker Alley; sister, Bertha Lou Manning; half-sister, Marie Nash; step brother, Don Hieb; step sister, Dorothy Thompson; special cousins: Ruth Schmidt and Delores Krueger.
Preceding Willard in death is his wife of 47 years, Kay Miller Nash; his parents, Mary
Meginness Nash and William Nash; father and mother-in-law, Frank and Esther Miller; brothers, Louis, Edward, and Francis; half-brother, Bill Nash; sisters-in-law: Bonita Ehly, Dora Finley, Shirley Peterson, Dorothy Peterson, and Betty Nash; brothers-in-law: Steve Manning, Ben Ehly, Bud Finley; and many uncles, aunts and cousins.