Billy "Lee" Swesey, following a long, hard-fought battle with esophagus cancer, passed away Friday, April 8, 2022, at home with his family by his side.

Lee was a student at Sturgis Elementary and a Sturgis High School graduate of 1976. His many hobbies included Boy Scouts, 4-H, High School Rodeo, wrestling, and riding his horse to town many times! One of Lee's biggest accomplishments was winning the Saddle Bronc buckle at the Newell Labor Day Rodeo, September 1986. Lee also enjoyed camping, fishing, and being outdoors with a good campfire.

Following his high school graduation, Lee enlisted in the Army and served from September 1976 through 1980, spending his time in Missouri, Georgia, and Korea. After returning home, Lee lived in Colorado working at Protechnics and Western Companies. Lee also fulfilled his cowboy dreams by entering in rodeos doing bareback, saddle bronc, and bulls.

In 1981, Lee married Kathy Williams, though they later divorced.

Lee's jobs then took him to North Dakota working for All State Paving, out of Minnesota, putting up cement plants. Through this career Lee met Jeanette Risser, and they welcomed their son, Valyen in 1990. They lived in North Dakota until 1993, when they moved to South Dakota for Lee's job with A.G.E. of Fort Pierre. Lee and Jeanette were then joined in marriage in May 2001. Then Lee's life took him to a job in Wyoming with Weatherford Welding and Earth Work Solutions up until his health required him to leave.

Lee is survived by his wife of 20 years, Jeanette; son, Valyen (Tamara) Swesey; stepchildren, Jill (Ryan) Thompson, Amanda (Doug) Fischer, and Lee Alan (Kimberly) Risser; grandchildren, Justice, Dena, Logan, David, Leilani, and twins, Juliette and William; mother-in-law, Shirley Risser; brothers-in-law, Clayton (Kim) Risser, Raymond (Wanda) Risser, and Richard (Betty) Risser; sisters-in-law, Susann (Jim) Bolinske, and Janelle (Kent) Barry; aunts, Punky Barden, and Sharron Swesey; uncle, Gene (Marilyn) Secrest, and many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Billy and Florence Swesey; brother, Everett Swesey, grandparents, Bill and Ella Swesey, and Fred and Minnie Secrest; uncle, Fred Swesey, and aunt, Francis Wickstrom.

Click on link to view service folder