Timothy Killian
Dates
August 14, 1957 - February 16, 2024Obituary
Timothy Killian, 66, of Mitchell, SD, died Friday, February 16, 2024, at his residence in Mitchell. A private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.
Timothy John Killian was born August 14, 1957, in San Angelo, Texas to parents Edmond Kenneth and Joy Beth (Huling) Killian. He grew up mostly in Altus, Oklahoma attending school there and was a member of the Altus High School graduating class, although he received his GED and went into the U.S. Navy where he qualified for Navy Seals Training. He was stationed in San Diego, California and endured the rigorous training that Seals went through. He passed all the training except for the required 3-mile swimming requirement of the Triathlon. He then qualified for early release with full Honors after 3 years. He attended classes at Western Oklahoma State College in Altus, Oklahoma, but then decided to go into the Oil Field industry. He was initially a roughneck on the drilling floors where he was seriously injured, but later went back to the Fields after he recovered. At that time, he trained to be a Seismic Tracing Engineer, also known as "mud logging" working again, on the drilling sites. He worked this position in Oklahoma, Texas, Ohio, and other states, as well as joining the Off-Shore operations, working out of Port Aransas, Texas. He also learned demolition while in the Oil Field and was able to utilize this skill as he worked for Meridian Aggregates Granite Quarry in Snyder, Oklahoma, after the Oil Field went bust. He was a major contributor to the initial development of this quarry which is still in operation today. This field eventually led him to Mitchell, South Dakota, where he began work with Yentner Company. He later became employed with Sioux Falls Tower where he worked several years in the Communications Field for them. Tim travelled extensively in the jobs he had, going from California to New York, and even to Alaska and Southern Canada. Tim was a master mechanic, and a Jack of All Trades. He was proficient in all manners of construction, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and anything that needed to be done physically. He was a very kind and generous person and one of the hardest-working men on the planet! He will be missed greatly by all his family!
Tim is survived by seven children, his daughters: Lisa (David) Tyler of Fort Worth, TX, April Gonzales, of Colorado Springs, CO, McKenna Killian of Mitchell SD, and Natasha Killian of Florida; and sons: Justin (Fiancé Esther Witte) Killian of Mitchell, SD, Dustin (Sara) Killian of Sioux Falls, SD, and Kevin Killian of Carnegie, OK. He is also survived by a loving stepdaughter, Jena (Kory) LaFurge of Pierre SD. Tim also leaves behind four beloved women that he shared his life with: LaDonna Poling, Diane Killian, Ginger Killian, and Angie Hotchkiss. He is survived by two brothers, Ken Bates and Max (Cindy) Killian all of Duncan, OK. His grandchildren include: Ashley (Blake Goodwin) McKinstry of Durant OK; Trevor (Gabrielle) Tyler of Fort Worth, TX; Natalie Tyler of Fort Worth, TX; Orren Tidwell and Devin Tidwell, both of Colorado Springs, CO; Kaden, Mylee, Ryker, and Nova Killian of Mitchell, SD; Marlee and Logan Killian of Sioux Falls, SD; and step-grandchildren, Addison and Remi Gordon and Sophia LaFurge all of Pierre, SD. Tim is also survived by three great-grandchildren. He was dearly loved by them all!
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edmond and Beth Killian (now Bevan) and a sister, Cindy.
