William Dean Whittington, 57, Rapid City, died Wednesday, May 1, 2013, at his home surrounded by his family after a battle with lung cancer.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 4, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at the Black Hawk Community Church with Pastor Ken Fairbrother officiating.

The family asks that you stop by the house, 8007 Albertta Drive, Rapid City, on Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to share in celebration of Dean's life.

Dean was born November 17, 1955, at Hawarden, IA, to William H. and Edna (Van de Hoef) Whittington. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in Hawarden.

Dean started learning his carpentry trade at an early age, building pole barns. He eventually moved to Mitchell, SD, where he met Andrea Dunnam, the love of his life. Dean and Andrea were married April 12, 1976, in Mitchell. They moved to Rapid City where he became a successful finish carpenter.

Dean loved the outdoors, motorcycling, snowmobiling, ATVing, and camping. His grandchildren were the highlight of his life. He was always taking them camping and 4-wheeling. He tried to teach them everything he could, knowing his days were numbered. He was a kind and patient man who was loved by all who knew him.

Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Andrea "Andy" Whittington, Rapid City; two daughters, Destiny Whittington, Mitchell, SD, and Honor Evers, Rapid City; one son, Seth Whittington, Spearfish, SD; five grandchildren, Jordan Warfield, Shawn Warfield, Bailey Evers, Damian Rogers, Jr., and Jude Whittington; his mother, Edna Royston, Mitchell, SD; and three brothers, Dennis Whittington, Hawarden, IA, David Whittington, Boise, ID, and Drew Whittington, Minneapolis, MN.

There to greet him in heaven were his dad, William Harley Whittington; and two sisters, Lynn Whittington and Amy Whittington.

A memorial has been established.

Click on link to view service folder