William "Bill" Willoughby

Dates

February 22, 1948 - January 11, 2024

Obituary

William (Bill) Willoughby, 75, of Douglasville, GA, peacefully passed away with his sons by his side, in the early morning hours of Thursday, January 11, 2024. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM Friday, January 19, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7:00 PM with a scripture service at 6:30 PM at Bittner Funeral Chapel.

A live stream of the funeral service can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/9zFiHpHX6eU?si=qprkGaZ5otMnqTjy

William (Bill) Theodore Willoughby was born February 22nd, 1948 in Mitchell, South Dakota to Thad and Mildred (Feldhaus) Willoughby. He attended elementary and high school at Notre Dame Academy. He received his Bachelor's degree from South Dakota State University in Science and Agriculture. Bill was an integral and irreplaceable part of the Sunny Delight team near Atlanta, Georgia where he lived.

He is survived by his two sons, Matthew and Brian Willoughby, as well as his three brothers and one sister, Richard (Judy), Robert, Duane (Nancy), and Mary (Rodney). He was the fourth of five children. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

It is impossible to sum up his life in only a few words. A gentle and kind man, stoic by nature, he preferred to spend his free time working with his hands to build, fix, and create. Among several hobbies, his favorite was taking and framing pictures of wildlife, especially birds of various kinds, with the exception of woodpeckers. With an extensive tool collection, he enjoyed building with wood, or fixing vehicles, and seemed to always have at least one project concerning one or the other.

He spent the majority of his time outside, though he also enjoyed tinkering with his various computers and other electronics such as cameras and 3D printers. Twice divorced, he went above and beyond to stay near to, and be a father to his two sons. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and coworkers.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother.

Visitation(s)

Date
Thursday, January 18, 2024

Time
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Location
6:30 PM Prayer Service

Bittner Funeral Chapel
805 W Havens Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301

Service

Date
Friday, January 19, 2024

Time
10:30 AM

Location
Holy Family Catholic Church
222 N Kimball St
Mitchell, SD 57301

Cemetery

Calvary Cemetery
Mitchell, SD

Posted by Mary Stadlman on January 21, 2024

Mary and family,, I am sending my condolences on the loss of Bill. May God keep you all in His care, today and the days to come.

Posted by Eloise Cooley on January 19, 2024

PRAYERS IN JESUS NAME CONDOLENCES TO ALL. REST IN HEAVEN Mr. Bill, You will be missed. I worked with him at Sunny Delight

Posted by Tim and Millie Wermers on January 19, 2024

Sympathy to his family. I was a classmate to Bill.

Posted by Sandy Sullivan,Grosz on January 19, 2024

Blessings to the family. Sorry to know about his passing. We were classmates

Posted by Toby Willow Grove on January 16, 2024

Bill, you were such an amazing great uncle. You made me laugh and smile and took the most beautiful photos. thank you for being a positive person in our lives. Rest easy.

Posted by Peggy Thurman Richarz on January 16, 2024

Bill was always a really busy guy. Making the fastest go cart in town or whatever he aspired to do. He was a hard worker and kind heart.

Posted by Karina Willoughby-Hills on January 16, 2024

Uncle Bill, I am going to miss you. I remember when I was little and you made my sister Heather and I doll houses for Christmas. Not only did I get to enjoy many hours of playing with that dollhouse, my children inherited it and they also had many hours of fun with their barbies playing with it too. I remember when you were visiting my parents, and I made a joke at my Dad's experience (your big brother) and you were so quiet, I didn't realize you were there until I heard you laugh and your eyes twinkle. Thank you for taking time to put speakers in my car and how you patently showed me how your camera worked. You were always helpful and kind.

Posted by Catherine Price on January 14, 2024

Mr. Bill will be missed, he was such a quiet and kind soul. I work security at Sunny Delight where he was employed he was always coming to work to handle business. RIH PRAYERS IN JESUS NAME CONDOLENCES TO ALL. PRAYERS Ms. Price