Thomas Paul McDill, Sr., age 93, passed away on April 28, 2015, at his ranch near Custer, SD.

Thomas was born on October 14, 1921, in Lincoln, NE, to Paul and Emma (Engel) McDill. He proudly served in the United States Army and Air Force. McDill enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1940, where he arrived in the Philippine Islands with the 409th Signal Company Aviation. When the United States surrendered to the Japanese on April 9, 1942, after the Battle of Bataan, McDill survived the 65-mile Bataan Death March, was imprisoned at Camp Cabanatuan, transported to Japan on "hell ships "and forced to work in a copper mine. After spending three years as a POW, McDill was liberated on Sept, 13, 1945. Upon his recovery, McDill continued his career in the Air Force through the Korean and Vietnam wars. On April 2, 2013, Senator Tim Johnson presented McDill with numerous medals, including the Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Defense Medal, Honorable Service Medal, Purple Heart, Prisoner of War Medal and Bronze Star.

Tom's process of healing included forgiving his captors. Upon his return to Custer, he committed himself to a ranching lifestyle. He was a kind, patient and gentle man. He enjoyed time with family and friends. Tom and Ilona shared their love of animals, spending countless hours with their horses. Tom's journey came full circle when he shared his Nebraska roots with Ilona. They acquired Indian Creek Ranch, west of Chadron and near Tom's childhood home.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Ilona McDill of Custer; son, Thomas Paul McDill, Jr. of TX; Michael (Penny) McDill of CO; daughter, Teresa McDill of MN; stepsons, Steele Cameron of Custer; Francis (Teri) Cameron of AZ; Russell (Molli) Cameron of IN; Scott Cameron of Custer; stepdaughter, Ilona "Bunny" Cameron of CA; sister, Mae Louise Grant of CO; grandchildren, Shelly (Shad) Springer; Nikki (Mike) Shott; Layl McDill; Michael (Audrey) Glenn, Jr .; Cori (Matt) Culp; Farah (Jason) Wissinger; great-grandchildren, Delaney; Cole; Brodie; Daycia; Elliott; Jake; Shane; Emma; Roy; step-grandchildren, Cole; Kaci; Katie; Brittany; Horace Cory; Dalton; Kaysha; Cavan and Clara

Preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Emma McDill; siblings, Robert McDill; John George (Jack); and Frances.

Military honors will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 7, 2015, at the Harbach Park in Custer, provided by the Ellsworth Air Force Base and the Custer Veterans Honor guards. Memorial services and reception will follow at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3442 in Custer, with Pastor Morris Nelson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Thomas's name can be made to benefit The Custer Storehouse, Women Escaping a Violent Environment "WEAVE" or Humane Society of the Custer Area.