George LaVern Calvin Bills, age 89

George LaVern Bills

    George LaVern Calvin Bills “Polar Bear” decided to be the first of the Polar Bears to take a vow of silence and go into hibernation in New Underwood, S.D., Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, at the age of 89, leaving his family and friends to carry on by his example.
    Celebration of life for George will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30, 2016 at his rural New Underwood farm, officiated by Pastor Harold Delbridge.  Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 29 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Kirk Funeral Home, Rapid City. Burial at New Underwood Cemetery.
    George was born in Viewfield,  April 19, 1927, to George Wells and Evelyn (Hunter) Bills. He attended the Lost Nation School and one whole day of New Underwood High School. He thought he had learned enough!
    George worked various jobs: construction, mail carrier, trucking, garage work and worked with Arnold Aby at the grain elevator. In 1952, George purchased a cattle truck from his brother. Later on he hauled cream in cans from the local dairies. In 1959, he bought a farm two miles north of New Underwood which he loved until the day he left. Through the years his route progressed from hauling cream to hauling Grade A  milk in a large stainless steel tank truck.  He kept busy with the milk route, his own dairy, range cows and farming. In 1985 the milk route was passed on to his son, Roger.
    George and Dorothy (Behrend) Bills married in 1947, and had a son, LaVern Oliver Bills.
    George and Betty Mae (Klosterman) were united in marriage on Aug. 22, 1951. Thoughout their 65 years of arguing (sometimes loudly), truce was made three times. As they had three children, Pamela, Russell and Roger.
    George was a devoted member of the New Underwood Lions Club,  served on the New Underwood school board and served many years on the New Underwood Economic Development Corp.
    He was very generous with young people throughout his life.  He unselfishly assisted many young people by supporting them anyway he could, hoping to head them in the right directions for their future endeavors.
    George was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Francis and Herbert, and step-granddaughter, Samantha.
    He is survived by his wife, Betty; children, LaVern (significant other Karen), Pamela Jean (Don) Cox, Russell Wayne Bills, and Roger Jon (Tammy) Bills; grandchildren, Hilary Bills (Andrew) Whelan, Wyatt Lavern Bills and Keoni Mae Bills; great-granddaughter Harper Whelan; joining us soon, stepgrandchildren Riley Walker and Tyler Walker (Angela, Trevin and Cohen); sister, Violet Levin Ostendorf; brother, Richard “Mush” Bills; nieces; nephews and friends.
    A heartfelt gratitude to Brett Hanson “the Good Son,”  Paul Skorseth “Too Tall” for taking George on trips to check his cows, see his loved home area growing and being his wonderful caring friends. Thank you to Brett, Paul and son -in-law Don for the lovingly tribute of handcrafting George's final resting haven. A special thank you Trudy Brassfield  for surrounding George in his life story.
    Thank you to everyone in New Underwood for feeding dad when he was looking for a meal!
    Memorials can be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital or the New Underwood Lions Club.

The Pioneer Review

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Philip, SD 57567
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