WILLIAM J. FERWERDA – SPRINGFIELD

A Memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 31, 2016, at the United Church of Christ, in Springfield, with Reverend Michael Carlson officiating. Inurnment will be held at the Pioneer Cemetery, rural Avon, with military honors.

WILLIAM (BILL) FERWERDA was born to John and Lavina (Hornstra) Ferwerda on March 18, 1923, at their rural home west of Springfield. Bill passed away Wednesday, March 23, at St. Lucas Care Center, in Faribault, Minnesota, at the age of 93 years and 5 days.

Bill graduated from Springfield High School in 1942, and attended Southern State Normal School in Springfield, before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Force as an aviation cadet. After discharge from the Army Air Corps in 1946, he returned to the family farm and later resumed work as an aircraft mechanic on both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, with the South Dakota Air National Guard. He retired from the SDANG in 1983. For many years, Bill continued to work as a maintenance inspector/examiner for private aircraft throughout the area.

Bill married Alda Mae Unruh, in Hartington, Nebraska, on December 16, 1942. Seven children were blessed to their union. He was a member of the United Church of Christ, Springfield; lifetime member and past-post commander of Dwight-Wood Post No. 132, past-South Dakota vice-commander, and past-Bon Homme County commander of the American Legion; the South Dakota National Guard Enlisted Association; and the Yankton Regional Aviation Association.

Bill was an avid aviation enthusiast and experienced pilot, holding both commercial and instructor ratings for various fixed-wing aircraft. In 1952, he bought his first airplane, a Piper J3 Cub, for $275; explaining that, "it was cheap and he thought he needed an airplane." His children remember Dad often asking them if they wanted to go chase clouds, take trips, or ride to school in the airplane. Many young people in the area were inspired to become pilots themselves after flying or talking aviation with Bill.

Thankful for so many years of wonderful memories are his children: Lolita Oorlog, Waterville, MN; Lois Sandvick, Missoula, MT; Cheri Worley and husband Floyd, Anchor Point, AK; Rick Ferwerda and wife Cheryl, Tyndall, SD; Bill Ferwerda and wife Diane, Blooming Prairie, MN; Terry Ferwerda and wife Alice, Salt Lake City, UT. He is also survived by his sisters: Winifred Wittmere, Bozeman, MT; and Helen (Leslie) Lassila, Park Rapids, MN; 12 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of nearly 70 years, Alda; and his son Jerry.