BELLE FOURCHE - Willard Louis Hettich, 79, Belle Fourche, died Sunday, November 4, 2007, at the Spearfish Regional Hospital.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. and will resume Thursday morning one hour prior to the services at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel with Mr. Duane Hettich and Mr. Joe Hobbs officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Willard was born May 2, 1928, to Jacob and Amelia (Kost) Hettich at their home west of Roscoe, SD. Willard graduated from Roscoe High School in 1947. He married Rose Daane in August of 1950 and was drafted into the Army in 1951. He served 2 years in Maryland, Texas, and Germany. After his honorable discharge, Willard worked as a heavy equipment operator for Daane Brothers Construction of Sturgis. Willard and Rose settled on the family farm southwest of Roscoe in 1959, where they raised their family of 6 children. Willard's main occupation was grain and livestock farming. In 1988, he retired to the Black Hills where he most recently resided at the Belle Fourche Senior Care Center. He enjoyed visiting with everyone and took a keen interest in people.

Willard is survived by his wife, Rose of Belle Fourche; two brothers, Marvin (Leta) of Loyalton, SD; Kenneth (Jane) of Springfield, MO; one sister, Nancy (Larry) Accola of Eau Claire, WI; six children, Susan Hettich of Sturgis, Terry Hettich of Aberdeen, Linda (Terry) Wendt of Brookings, Marilyn (Gary) Surratt of Denver, CO, Randell (Toni) Hettich of Bath, and Julie Harley of Silver City; seven grandchildren, Joel, Jebediah, and TeAnna Hettich, Stacy and Jody Wendt, Crystal Genteman, and Bradley Surratt; and two great-granddaughters.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Floyd; two infant brothers; a grandson, Jesse; and one nephew, Gregory.

Willard's family wishes to thank the many friends who have so generously cared for him throughout the years. We will sorely miss his gentle spirit.

A memorial has been established.