William J. "Bill" Plunkett, 80, Whitewood, died at the David M. Dorsett Home in Spearfish, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007.

He was born April 21, 1927, at Deadwood, the son of William J. and Mildred (Munson) Plunkett. Bill participated in many sports in high school and was quarterback of his football team. He graduated from Sturgis High School in 1945 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1946, as a fireman, first class. Bill attended Black Hills Teachers College and graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1950 with a bachelor of arts degree in speech radio. He worked as a radio announcer in Minot, N.D., Port Arthur, Texas and in Deadwood, at KDSJ. He married Darleen Carlson at the Empire church near Vale, on Aug. 26, 1953. He was employed as a therapeutic recreation specialist at the VA Hospital at Ft. Meade for 25 years, retiring in 1980. Bill was an accomplished jazz musician, who played trumpet and stand up bass at many Black Hills venues including the Bodega, Turgeons Supper Club and Philtown.

Along with his life long interest in music, he loved bowling, camping, backpacking and was an excellent fly fisherman. Bill and Darleen moved to Whitewood in 1959, where they raised their family. He was a member of the American Legion, the Musicians Union and served on the Whitewood City Council.

Survivors include his wife Darleen Plunkett, Whitewood; two sons, Clark (Kayleen) Plunkett, Whitewood, and Billy Plunkett, Sioux Falls; four daughters, Patrice Fields, Cheyenne, Wyo., Christine (Ray) Kaitfors, Whitewood, Linda Trautman, Spearfish, Marcy Satterfield and Delburn Sparling, Casper, Wyo.; five granddaughters, six grandsons and two great granddaughters.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one grand daughter.

Memorial services will be 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 14, 2007, at the Whitewood Presbyterian Church in Whitewood, with Pastor Steve Agan officiating.

Burial with military honors by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard will be at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

A memorial has been established.