William E. "Bunker" Crockford, 68, Vale, died Wednesday, September 1, 2010, at his residence.

Visitation will be Monday from noon until 8:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 7, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel with Pastor Roger Monson officiating. Burial will follow at the Vale Cemetery.

Bill was born July 6, 1942, to Joseph and Mildred (Plambeck) Crockford in Vale. He grew up in the Vale area where he attended school.

He married Carol Rose Keil on May 6, 1978, in Vale. They lived on their farm northeast of Vale. They have one son, Joe, who farms the place. Bill was proud of Joe for always being there for Bill and Carol, and running the farm in such the good way he always did. Bill liked fishing and working on harnesses for their horses. He and Carol raised Paint Horses for many years and sold a few colts every year.

Bill was a leader in his community and a member of the Vale Lutheran Church. He was active in school affairs and was a 4-H Club Leader for over 20 years. Bill was sales manager, ring-man, and a committee member for the Newell Ram Show and Sale. He also served on the Vale Volunteer Fire Department for several years. Bill worked for the Forest Service, as a Packer, with a string of mules out of Riggins, ID. He worked for the Bureau of Land Management in Belle Fourche as a Contract Inspector for earth work and was in charge of the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Programs. Bill retired from BLM in 1995 after almost 30 years and then worked for the Tri-County Locker in Newell for a few years. Bill enjoyed helping people and truly enjoyed his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Crockford, Vale; one son, Joe (Anna) Crockford, Vale; granddaughters, Colleena, Deana, and Kila; one stepdaughter, Debbie (Joe) Smith of WY, and two step-grandsons, Bryant and Shaun Smith, all from WY; three sisters, Connie Watkins, Des Moines, IA, Sheri Adams, Spearfish, and Hazel (Danny) Adams, Spearfish; two brothers, Jerry (Julie) Crockford, Farmington, NM, and Jess (Becky) Crockford, Hutchinson, KS; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one niece and nephew, Debbie and Timmy; and one stepson, Bobby.

Memorials have been established to the Vale Lutheran Church, Vale Volunteer Fire Department, and the Vale Community Club.