William (Bill) John Reiter, 81, of Wagner

" WAKANYEJA AWANYANKAPI " Watches Over the Children

July 19, 1940 – January 26, 2022

Bill was born on July 19, 1940, in Plentywood Mt. to William and Margaret Reiter. Bill passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 26, 2022, in Wagner SD. Services will be on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at 1 pm CST. in Fort Yates, ND at the AJ Agard building with Father John Floberg officiating. Burial will be at St. Elizabeth's Cemetery, Wakpala, SD, with military honors. Peters Funeral home in Wagner is in charge of arrangements.

Bill was raised on a farm in Froid, Mt where he attended school up to his graduation in 1958. Upon graduation he joined the U.S. Army in which he served from 1959 to 1962. After his discharge from the Army, he attended Bottineau School of Forestry for 2 years and then he attended the UND Ellendale Branch and graduated with a degree in Education.

In 1967, he moved to Ft Yates ND and worked for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. In October of 1969, he married Gloria Bearsheart and they were married for 52 years until the time of his death. In 1973, he moved the family to Bismarck ND where he worked at United Tribes Technical College until 1980. In 1980, he moved his family back to Ft. Yates where he worked for 25 years for the Standing Rock Community High School and Sitting Bull College until his retirement.

On August 2, 1997, the Fort Yates District Council awarded him a Certificate of Appreciation and was give his Indian name of WAKANYEJA AWANYANKAPI – Watches Over the Children. This was in recognition and honor of his personal commitment and work with the youth of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.

Bill was very involved with the youth on the Standing Rock Reservation. He ran many programs such as the Boy Scouts, youth baseball/softball programs and basketball for all ages. He coached many different sports for all ages from the youth to college and independent teams. His men's college basketball team won the AIHEC tournament around 1985. He coached many independent women's basketball teams that won tournaments in North and South Dakota.

He was also a very athletic person. He played basketball, fast pitch, slow pitch, and bowling, just to name a few. He was an avid Standing Rock Warriors fan as well as Minnesota Twins and Vikings.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gloria Reiter of Wagner, SD and was blessed with 3 daughters: Tami (Mike) Platfers of Fargo ND, Kathi (Goober) Reiter of Wagner, SD and April Reiter of Pierre, SD; his 6 grandchildren: Allan, Karly, Alex Reiter, Talia, and Jonny Kuntz all of Wagner, SD and Kairi Platfers of Fargo, ND; his Brothers: Mike (Margaret) Reiter of Billings, MT, Dean (Cindy) Reiter of Froid, MT.; sisters Joann Reiter of Spokane WA, and Linda Seaman of Froid, MT. He was blessed with many nieces and nephews. He was also called dad or Grandpa by numerous kids, teens, and adults on the Standing Rock Reservation.

He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Margaret Reiter, brother: his twin, Edward Reiter; sisters: Lois (Sylvester) Winter, Judy (Llyod) Lovegren, Kathy (George) Taylor, and Bobbie Reiter; in-laws: Lawrence and Ella Bearsheart, Larry Paul Bearsheart, Wyatt Bearsheart and Janis Bearsheart; as well as numerous other family members.

In leu of flowers you can contact one of the following: Bridge City Florist & Gifts – 605-845-3495: Northside Flowers – 605-845-3401 or Roberts Floral – 701-258-8311.