William “Bill” Dolan was born April 15, 1932 in Union County, South Dakota to Joseph and Elizabeth (Buryanek) Dolan. He died suddenly May 8, 2019 in Beresford at the age of 87 years and 23 days.
Bill was raised on the family farm where he attended country school and graduated from Beresford High School. He enlisted in the US Navy and served during the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge, Bill returned to work with his dad on the farm. He married Joan Hillrichs on July 13, 1957. Bill farmed his whole life. After they moved into Beresford in 2003 Bill continued to help his son Terry and his grandson Andrew on the farm.
He was life member of the VFW and American Legion where he served as state commander from 1996 to 1997. In his earlier years he enjoyed hunting, camping and fishing; most recently he and Joan loved to go fishing as much as they could. Always enjoying a good visit, Bill and Joan could be found most mornings having coffee with friends in Beresford or Alcester.
He will be deeply missed by his wife of 62 years, Joan Dolan of Beresford; his three children, Terry (Laurie) Dolan of Beresford, Leslie (Daniel) Gill of Lincoln, NE and Troy (Michelle) Dolan of Sioux Falls; five grandchildren, Lindsey (Chad) Oates, Andrew Dolan, Timothy Dolan, Brittany Gill and Trevor Gill and three step-great-grandchildren, Carter Jenness and Parker and Gracelynn Oates.
His parents, one brother, Duane Dolan and one sister, Rosamond Lind preceded him in death.
Mass of Christian Burial for Bill will be 10AM Saturday, May 11, 2019 at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Beresford. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Joseph of Emmet Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-8PM Friday at the church with the family present from 6-8PM.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Bill Dolan, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
