Billy Potts
February 27, 1931 ~ February 4, 2012
View Billy's Tribute Video
Billy Gale Potts, 80, died peacefully in his home in Gettysburg, SD surrounded by his family on February 4, 2012.
A prayer service was held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at Christ Lutheran in Lebanon, SD. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Gettysburg with Pastor Daniel Tews officiating. Burial followed in the Gettysburg Cemetery.
Billy was born February 27, 1931 on the Potts farm south of Lebanon to Bud and Dora (Smith) Potts and lived there until moving to Gettysburg, SD in August 1984. He graduated from 8th grade at Hillcrest Country School which was located just a half mile south of the farm. Billy started a gravel hauling business from the gravel pits located on the south part of the farm and even hauled dirt and gravel for the contractor while the Oahe Dam in Pierre, SD was being built.
November 29, 1953 he married Darlene Westphal of Agar at St. John's Lutheran Church in Agar, SD. Billy’s parents moved to Gettysburg and at that time Billy and Darlene settled into the farm house south of Lebanon. He milked cows, raised cattle, hogs and sheep as well as farming and continued to haul gravel as a business. Billy was baptized and confirmed in Lebanon, SD on May 21, 1961. He was active in the Lutheran church his entire life and has served as Deacon, Council Secretary and Vice President at Christ Lutheran Church in Lebanon. Every Saturday night, the whole family would gather at Billy’s mothers, Dora’s and enjoyed a family meal together. On Sunday mornings, the family traveled to Lebanon to attend church and Sunday school. Usually every Sunday evening, Billy, Darlene, and the four kids enjoyed the evening roller skating in Lebanon. He was a very loving and caring husband and father. Billy was active in competitive shooting and had won various awards through the years.
In August of 1984 Billy and Darlene built a new home in Gettysburg and Lonny stayed on the farm and continued with the farming operation. Billy helped out with the farming even this last summer and fall. He loved to play cards on his computer and also downtown with the guys and also meet up with them in the mornings to drink coffee. Billy also enjoyed hunting pheasant, ducks and deer. Billy also had a joke to share with family and friends.
To this union they were blessed with four children: Lonny, Randy, Diane and Tim were born.
Billy is survived by his wife, Darlene; children: Lonny of Gettysburg and (girlfriend Patti of Ontario, Canada), Randy (Angela) of Atlanta, Georgia, Diane Potts of Rochester, MN, and Tim (Marcia) of Sturgis, SD; grandchildren: Brady of Aberdeen, Mariah of Gettysburg, JJ, Christopher, and Cathy of Atlanta, GA and Casey of Tennessee, Trevor and Tera Potts of Brookings; great grandson: Carter of Aberdeen; nephews: Gary (DeeAnn) Glodt of Upton, WY, Patrick Ratliffe, Robert and Connie Ratliffe of California.
Billy was preceded in death by his father J.W. “Bud” and Mother Dora; brother, James Wesley and sister, Shirley.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Billy’s arrangements.
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Darlene and family,
So sorry to hear of your loss.
Billy will be missed at our church gatherings.
I will be unable to go to the services but will pray for you.
Lois
Dear Mrs. Potts and family:
You are in our thoughts and prayers. May you be comforted by the wonderful memories that are dear to your hearts and the knowledge that Billy is reunited with his loved ones in heaven.
May you feel God’s loving arms around you especially at this time. love, Lori and Alan xo
Tim, Marcia and family,
Thinking of you during this sad time. May the memories of your loved one bring you tears, laughter and peace. Sincerely, Jenise
Diane and all,
Our thoughts, prayers, and love are with you at this time. Cherish the memories.
God Bless.
I am so sorry you are going through the lose of your Dad. My prayers go out to you. Will give you a hug when you get back. No matter our age it is a tough road to go down. Many blessings to your family!
Nancy
I am sorry for your loss may God and your faith give you strengh during this time. I am the youngest daughter of Earl and Catherine (Miles) Millar I am sure they knew you. My parents may have moved to Highmore area in the 60’s but that area was still their home in their hearts.
God bless you.
Edith Wheelhouse
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all-may you find comfort and peace in all the wonderful memories you hold dear.
Love,
Janet, Jim and Josh
Mertz
So sorry to hear of Billy’s passing. Lots of comfort during this difficult time!
Tim and Family: Please know that your Rural Development Family is thinking of you during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless
Tim, Marcia, Trevor & Tera, we are so sorry to hear about the loss of your father and grandfather. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Darlene and family,
My deepest sympathy in your time of loss.
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Tim, Marcia and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Keith & Ruth Smit
Gone from our sight, but never our memories. Gone from our touch, but never our hearts .
Dear Darlene, Lonny, Randy & Angela, Diane,Tim & Marcia and families..
Sharing in your sadness….and praying that you feel God’s warm embrace comforting you.. your friends and your faith to continue to uphold you, and loving memories to heal your hearts.
May God’s promise that the parting is only temporary and we will all be reunited with our loved ones someday on heavens golden shores , bring comfort to your hearts .
Billy will always be held dear within my heart as I remember precious moments shared with him. I love each of you.
May God Bless and keep you in His care.
Love and hugs..Patti
Tim, Marcia and family: Thinking of you and sending prayers. May your many memories bring you comfort and light to help you see through the darkness.
Uncle Billy always knew what to say to make us all laugh. I’ll miss his quick wit. Family reunions won’t be the same without him there. I think the thing I miss the most is all the get togethers we had as a family where every holiday throughout the year we would all have fun. The back and forth banters and comments the adults had made it all worth being part of. I hadn’t been around to see him much and I miss him already. I love you Uncle Billy, rest in peace.
Your Nephew,
Shane
Very sorry to hear of your loss. It is hard to lose a spouse, and father. Prayer to your family.
Dear Lonny, Patti & Family:
Losing your father is a great tragedy no matter what the age. We pray that the Lord will comfort you in these days and bring you joy in knowing your father’s spirit has retuned to the Lord. May God bless and keep you during this time. We look forward to seeing you and meeting Lonny’s family soon.
Love you very much, Ken and Faith.
So Sorry to hear about Billy, I rember play cards with him at Gordon’s and he always talked about his family. My prayers are with all of you
We were so sorry to hear of the death of your father. We pray that God’s spirit will alleviate your suffering and that your mourning will be tempered with the fact that he has returned to glory.
Dear family,
What a beautiful life tribute to Billy via video. I know it doesn’t replace the loss, but you have wonderful memories.
Thinnking of you.
Deb Anderson
Darlene, it was nice to visit with you for a few minutes today. We extend our sincere sympathy to you, your family and all those who were close to Billy. Going all the way back to our high school days when you and Billy began dating, there seems to have always been a very loving relationship between you two, and I have no doubt that it has extended to all of your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and your many other relatives and friends.
May you find peace and joy with your family and friends, may your faith be strong, and may the many sweet memories ease the pain of your loss.