Wilbur "Bill" Lauritzen

Bill Lauritzen, 82, of San Diego, Calif. and Faulkton, died early Sunday morning, August 2, 2015 at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen. 

Celebration of Life service was held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at the United Church of Faulkton with Pastor Bill Hoffman presiding.

Services will be held at a later date in San Diego, CA.

Wilbur “Bill” Lewis Lauritzen was born June 11, 1933 to Lewis and Florence (Crawford) Lauritzen in Faulkton.

He grew up in Faulkton, and served in the Army in Japan for two years. He returned home from the service and was united in marriage in 1955 to Shirley Matthews in San Diego. Together they raised two daughters.

Bill owned his own business in San Diego, and retired in the late 1980’s. He was a private pilot and traveled all over the United States and Mexico. In his later years he especially enjoyed coming back to South Dakota for the summer months, especially for harvest.

He was very active in the Masons, the Shriners, of which he was Past Potentate 1986-87, the Elks, and the V.F.W.

Bill is survived by his long time companion and fiancé Char Ollier of San Diego; daughters, Cheryl (Dave) Nicholson of Fortuna, Calif. and Cid (Janine) Lauritzen, also of Fortuna, Calif; one grandson, Grant Bryant of San Diego, Calif.; one brother, Rodger (Lauralee) Lauritzen of Faulkton; and many other family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Florence Lauritzen; daughter Karen Kay; one brother, Murray; and one nephew Harry.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Bill’s arrangements.