William A. Yuill, 78, former research chemist, died on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at the Heart Hospital in Oklahoma City. Bill went to the hospital for bypass surgery in February and struggled with his lungs afterwards. His wife, children, brother, and sister were all able to visit with him before he passed. He went peacefully in the afternoon with us holding his hands.

Bill was born July 28, 1935, to Hazel Irene Yuill and William Alexander Sr. Yuill in Newell, SD. Bill helped his family work on their farm while attending Newell High School. After high school, he attended South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City where he received a B.S. in Chemistry. Bill received a Masters in Chemistry from Colorado State University in Ft. Collins and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from University of Iowa in Iowa City.

Bill worked as a paint chemist in Erie, PA, and as a nuclear research and safety engineer for Westinghouse in Idaho Falls, ID. Bill received numerous patents for his process metallurgy research at Anaconda and Atlantic Richfield in Tucson, AZ, and as a research manager at Kerr McGee in Oklahoma City, OK. He continued to consult after retiring.

Bill was an avid reader. He loved Idaho and just being outside, particularly if it involved bird hunting or fly fishing. He enjoyed bicycling, photography, music, and being with family.

Bill is survived by his wife, Barbara Yuill; daughter, Tamara Yuill; three sons, Joel, Sean, and Brendon Yuill; two grandchildren, Jeremy Yuill and Madison Yuill; and brother, Charles Yuill, and twin sister, Pat Lee, both of Newell, SD.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, July 1, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Newell with Pastor Marcia Brennan officiating.

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