The funeral of Willard Nash, 84, of Timber Lake was held on Saturday April 2, 2022 at the Isabel Community Center. Interment was in Hillview Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge.

Willard died Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, ND.

Willard Lloyd Nash was born on February 15, 1938 in Mobridge 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 in the Firesteel area with aunts and uncles and his brother, Francis.

He 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, chopping wood in the Black Hills during the summer. In the fall of 1956, he was working at the Ole Drageset ranch west of Isabel.

In September 1957, Willard enrolled at South Dakota State College in Brookings to take general courses. While in Brookings, he often hitchhiked home so he could return to see the love of his life, Kay Miller.

On November 15, 1958, Willard and Kay were married in a private ceremony in Pierre. They moved to Lantry, where Willard began teaching grades one through eight. The following year Willard and Kay taught at Morristown School in 1961. They moved to Isabel, where he taught Isabel while she taught at Butte View School west of Glad Valley.

In the fall of 1964, Willard and Kay began teaching in Trail City and Timber Lake. In 2003, Kay took early retirement due to her diagnosis of Lou Gehrig’s disease. Willard remained in the Timber school system until his retirement in 2007. He taught math, science, computer science, and served as a K-12 guidance counselor, elementary principal, and principal. of technology. Willard was instrumental in implementing many technological changes within the school, including the wiring of the new addition to the school.

After retiring in 2007, Willard became interested in restoring old tractors, mowers, plows, threshers and various farm equipment.

Willard and Kay had three children: Colle, Brian and Roxane. Family meant the world to Willard. Her grandchildren became an important part of her life after Kay passed away in 2005.

Willard was an amazing storyteller. No matter who you were, whether they had known you for many years or just a few hours, you were sure to hear a story.

For the past year and a half, Willard resided at the Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon until his death on Tuesday March 29.

His children are grateful to have shared his life: Colle (Penny) Nash, Brian (Lisa) Nash and Roxane (Tim) Alley; grandchildren: Sara Nash, Drew (Regan) Nash, Tanner (Shelby) Nash, Melissa (Casey) Aberle, Garrett Nash, LaShae Nash, Troy (Whitney) Alley, Ryan (Carly) Alley, Justene Alley and 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; half-brother Don Hieb; half-sister Dorothy Thompson; and special cousins ​​Ruth Schmidt and Delores Krueger.

Preceding Willard in death are his wife of 47 years, Kay Miller Nash; his parents; father and stepmother, 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 and Bud Finley; and many uncles, aunts and cousins.