Jesus welcomed our beloved Dad and Grandfather to heaven on November 26th, 2025. William (Bill) Anderson was born on a farm in Lincoln County, SD, a few miles north of Beresford to Andrew and Edyth Anderson, June 20th, 1930, the youngest of seven children.
Bill spent most of his childhood growing up in Beresford, SD and graduated from Beresford High School. In 1948, he enlisted in the Navy and proudly served in the Korean Conflict.
He returned home for a short while and married his wife Marlys. (They were married for 70 years.) He was then recalled into the service and discharged in 1954.
After his discharge from the Navy he earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Journalism and Agriculture from SDSU.
Bill enjoyed all the time he spent in the Navy and Army reserves and told many wonderful stories of his time in the service - especially in Japan where he was introduced to a relationship with Jesus.
Bill and his family lived a few places around the country and he held some quite fascinating jobs including working for the Watertown Public Opinion.
After making Sioux Falls his home in 1979, he spent the next 30 years in agriculture.
Bill loved his family, reading, writing, hunting and fishing. He wished for everyone he came across to understand the love of Jesus that he knew.
Survivors include his 3 children, Elaine (Mike) Lewis, Roger (Susan) Anderson, and Becky Anderson. 5 grandchildren also survive him, 16 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren; and also a sister-in-law, Ardis, and brother-in-law, Bud (Clinton).
He was preceded in death by his parents, 6 brothers and sisters, Mary (died in infancy), Lewis, Katherine, Lloyd, Lyman, and June. And his wife Marlys (Lewison), and 2 of her siblings, Eldeen and Larry; all of whom he greatly missed.
In a short memoir that Bill wrote, he talked about having to move to new locations a few times in his life, and ended with the glorious statement, ‘My next move will be to the Church Triumphant in Heaven!’ Glory Be!
What a day of rejoicing that will be.
Celebrate a life with the whole community in The Dakota Scout. Contact obits@thedakotascout.com to have your loved one remembered today.