Bill Lehman
August 13, 1952 ~ September 19, 2012
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Bill Lehman Jr., 60, of Gettysburg, passed away Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at his home in Gettysburg.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, September 23, 2012 at the Gettysburg High School Gym with Fr. Jerry Kopel presiding. Burial followed at St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery, Seneca. Visitation was held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with a 4:00 p.m. prayer service.
William P. Lehman Jr. was born August 13, 1952 to William Sr. and Mary Lou (Pundsack) Lehman at the Faulk County Hospital in Faulkton, SD. The family lived near Seneca where Bill attended North Canton School thru the 8th grade. He graduated from Faulkton High School in 1970 and went on to receive his Ag Degree from South Dakota State University in Brookings in 1975.
Bill’s first teaching job was at Todd County in 1976. From 1978 to 1984 he filled the Ag position with the Gettysburg School system before becoming the farm manager for Brown Farms from 1984 to 1987. In 1987 Bill went back to teaching. He taught one year in Eagle Butte and then continued his career at Gettysburg High School from 1988 until the present. He spent many hours driving the school bus and also cleaned pheasants for Paul Nelson Farms during hunting season.
Bill had such a love for his students and community. He worked on adding programs that would teach them both entrepreneurial and life skills. Over the years he has built the Gettysburg Ag and FFA program into one of the best in the state. He wanted to make sure that each and every kid had a chance to find love for their country, farmland, animals, and community. Bill started the Pig Project, the Relay for Life Demolition Car Raffle, and helped with many other worthwhile causes.
On January 28, 1977, Bill was married to Cathy Wager and to this union three children were born: Sara, Amanda, and Casey. Bill married Peggy Schaunaman at Fron Church in Roslyn on June 5, 1993.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Ionic Lodge #83 of Gettysburg, and the Potter County Fair Board. Bill has been a member of the SD Association of Agricultural Educators for 33 years, serving on the executive board from 1993 to 1997. He has received numerous awards including: the Honorary State Degree from SD FFA Association (1996), Outstanding Education Teacher Award (2003), Middle and Secondary School Education Agricultural Program Award (2004), Region III NAAE Ideas Unlimited Winner (2007), Distinguished Service Award from SD FFA Association (2011), and the SDAAE Teacher Mentor Award (2012).
Bill’s life will be treasured by his wife: Peggy of Gettysburg; his children: Sara (David) Mitchell of Cibolo, TX, Amanda (Dexter) Allen of Colorado Springs, CO, Casey (Amie Morgan) Lehman of Gettysburg, Casey Jo (Josh Kukrall) Schaunaman of Aurora, SD, and Aaron (Tasha Fliehs) Barse of Aberdeen; eleven grandchildren; sisters: Laura Hartley of Ipswich, Coleen Freeman of Aberdeen, and Joleen Christman of Aberdeen; brothers: Joseph (Renae) Lehman of Aberdeen, Ben Lehman of Indianapolis, IN, Travis Lehman and Matt Lehman; mother-in-law: Judy Schaunaman of Roslyn and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents; his parents, Bill and Mary Lou Lehman; his brothers: Ed, Jay Dee, and Brian; sister: Linda Switzenberg; father-in-law, Clarence Schaunaman; nephew, Dustin Christman and several aunts and uncles.
Memorials can be directed to the Bill Lehman Memorial Fund, c/o Great Western Bank, 111 N.E. St., Gettysburg, SD 57442.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Bill’s arrangements
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Peggy & family, We would Like to send you our Deepest sympathy at this Sad time. May the Good Lord Give you the Grace to comfort you at this sad time. Bill will be missed By many People. In sympathy
Jeff & Jeanelle
We extend our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers to all of you. Bill was a wonderful guy! I have many great memories of him as we grew up!
He loved his family and spoke of you all so often!!
He was the pillar for his siblings, and took tht responsibility very much to heart.
I know you all will miss him dearly, as will the rest of us.
He will be truly missed.
Lehman was the best teacher anyone could ever have. He always had a quick witted remark and was always one to make you laugh. He will be deeply missed.
Sending thoughts and prayers to Billy’s family during this time. Wish I could be with you during this time!
Peggy, I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. I didn’t know you were living so close to me until I seen Robert in Highmore last week and he filled me in. Please know your in my thoughts and prayers….
Bill has always been such a part of the lives of everyone who lived here @ G’burg…He will be more than missed by all. Bill called Kris in 1996 to cook the beef for the FFA spring banquet… 2012 was our 16th year working together for the kids and parents. It won’t be the same without him!!! Our hugs and prayers for all the family.
Our deepest sympathy to the family. We appreciated working with Bill every summer as he inspected our fields. He was a wonderful person, as you well know. Thoughts & prayers are with you. Phil & Barb Hamburger
Sorry for your loss. Bill was a very special person. The girls and I were very sadden to here of his passing. We will pray for all of you and remember Bill fondly.
My sincerest sympathy – He will be missed by many.
Lehman Family:
My prayers go out to each and everyone of you, Bill will be missed by all who knew him. I will always remember him for his sense of humor, he could always make me smile. May God hold you all in his loving arms and comfort you during this time.
I send my prayers of comfort to Bills wife and family during this difficult time. Bill and my brother Chuck and I were all good friends in our youth at Faulkton. High. He was always a good friend back then also. He made this world a better place by just being here. God Bless You All.
I have many great memories of Bill and the times we had at GHS in FFA and in between classes. My condolences to all. He did love the FFA
To the family of Bill, I just read of Bill’s passing and want to extend my sympathies to you.