Mass of Christian Burial for William D. Alley, age 79, of Isabel will be at 11 AM MT, Saturday, June 8, 2013 at the Isabel Community Center. Burial will be at Hillview Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will begin at 6 PM with a Vigil service at 7 PM Friday at the center. William passed away Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck.
William Dean (Bill) Alley was born on May 11, 1934 at the family home south of Firesteel to John and Catherine (Anglin) Alley.
When Bill was about two years old, the family purchased the John Leonard farm eight miles northeast of Isabel or eight miles northwest of Firesteel. This became the Alley family's home place.
Bill attended grade school at the rural Severns School and then attended Isabel High School graduating in 1952. He briefly attended South Dakota State University studying agriculture and then returned to the family farm to help his father.
In 1956, he entered the United States Army and served in Korea with the occupation forces. He was honorably discharged in 1958 and returned to Isabel again working with his father farming and ranching.
On June 9, 1962, Bill married Mary Theresa Beer at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Isabel. To this union five children were born—Louise Ann (LuAnn), David William, Thomas Wayne, Lisa LaShae, and Suzanne Alice. Mary and Bill made their home on the family farmstead raising sheep, cattle, hay, grain and their children.
Bill served on several governing boards including seventeen years on the Isabel School Board of Education. On August 22, 1983, Mary lost a courageous battle with cancer.
Bill expanded his farm and ranch by purchasing the "Cowan Place" north of Isabel near the Grand River in 1987. In 1990 he developed a fascinating hobby when he discovered dinosaur bones on this land, which is part of the Hell Creek Formation. Bill studied and taught himself about fossils and geology and became an expert amateur paleontologist.
Bill collected, prepared, and exhibited many species of dinosaur fossils. He especially enjoyed dinosaur hunting with his family that often included his nephew, Jim Smolik. Two of his special finds were even named for him, "Billy", a Triceratops (Torosaurus), and "Alley Rex," a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Bill shared his discoveries with the scientific community making important contributions in paleontology.
Bill was very athletic in high school and participated in amateur baseball and basketball even after high school. His love of sports was shown through his support for his children and most recently his grandchildren, attending their activities and cheering them on as they competed in football, volleyball, basketball, track and rodeo.
Bill was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and in 2011 was paid tribute by the Timber Lake and Area Historical Society with an Honorary Lifetime Membership.
Bill continued to be involved with his sons in farming and ranching and enjoyed playing cards and sharing a good cup of coffee with family and friends.
Blessed for sharing his life are his five children LuAnn (Corey) Lindskov, David (Kristi) Alley, Tom (Jaci) Alley, and Lisa (Brian) Nash all of Isabel and Suzi (Jason) Bates of Mitchell, SD, and his thirteen grandchildren: Derek (Tammi), Troy, and Clay Lindskov, Krystal Marone and Lane Alley, TJ Alley, Tanner, Melissa (fiance' Casey Aberle), Garrett, and LaShae Nash, and Cooper, Hayden, and Jaxon Bates. Bill is also survived by one sister, Marge (Addie) Beer, and one brother Maurice (Madonna) Alley, one sister in law, Roberta (Snookie) Alley, four brothers in law Jim (Donna) Hulm, John (Maureen) Beer, Fred (Karen) Beer, and Bernie (Karen) Beer, and nHe was preceded in death by his parents John and Catherine, his wife Mary, and siblings Elmer Alley, Viola Smolik, Genevieve Reich, Mary Hulm, Donald Alley, Eugene Alley, Robert Alley, Jack Alley and two infant brothers.