Eugene "Gene" Wilfred Yuill, 86, Whitewood, died Wednesday, November 7, 2012, at Sturgis.

Visitation will be 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 15, 2012, at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 16, 2012, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitewood with Pastor David Baer officiating. Burial with military honors by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard will follow at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Gene was born May 11, 1926, at Rapid City, SD, to John C. and Lydia (Johnson) Yuill. He was drafted just before completing his senior year of high school at Newell, SD. After his honorable discharge with the US Army, he returned home and obtained his GED.

On November 2, 1947, he married Averil Rossow at the Grace Lutheran Church in Sturgis, SD.

Gene was employed as a nursing assistant at the Fort Meade VA Hospital in Sturgis until his retirement in 1981. He worked for 2 years as a water hauler in the oil fields. He also worked as a carpet installer for O'Neills Furniture of Spearfish as well as working on his farm and ranch.

Gene was known for his fun sense of humor. He loved deer and pheasant hunting, fishing, bird watching, star gazing, and music. He played the piano, harmonica, and accordion by ear. He passed his love of music to his five children and ensured they all had music lessons.

Gene saw the destruction of war as he marched across Europe into Germany and survived many hardships. The destruction he witnessed helped prompt him to put his energy into improving and enjoying life around the farm.

Survivors include his wife, Averil Yuill, Whitewood; sons, Randall (Renata) Yuill, Naperville, IL, Russell (Linda) Yuill, Sturgis, and Ray (Violet) Yuill, Alliance, NE; one daughter, LaVon Yuill, Sturgis; ten grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; one sister; and daughter, LeAnn Glenn.

The family would like to thank Ron Anderson and the staff of Foothills Assisted Living for their care.

A memorial has been established for Cancer Research.

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