Wilbert V "Willy" Cope, 85, passed away July 18, 2007 at Castle Manor Nursing Home in Hot Springs, SD.

Willy was born May 15, 1922 in Hot Springs, SD to Paul Stewart and Anna (Hoopes)
Cope.

Willy graduated from Oelrichs High School in 1940 and attended SDSU from 1940 to 1942 with a focus on Animal Husbandry. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945 as an MP. After his discharge he returned to join the family farm operation in the Oelrichs area. Willy was also part of the Angostura Dam construction from 1947 to 1949.

On September 15, 1950 Willy married Jean (Kientiz) Cope. To this union four children were born. Willy and Jean settled on their ranch near Oral/Smithwick, where they resided for 51 years. They moved to Hot Springs in retirement. Their lives at the ranch were full raising children and enjoying grandchildren. The ranch supported cattle and other livestock, as well as farming operations.

Willy's community connections were vast and very important to him. He was a 4-H leader for 26 years, a Western Junior Livestock Board member, guiding many 4-Hers as well as his own children. He was also a member of St. John's Lutheran Church for 52 years and a church councilman during those years. He further served the community as a Fall River County Commissioner for six years, State and County Weed Board member, a member of Pioneer Grazing District Board and a member of the local chapters of the V.F.W. and American Legion.

The greatest joys in his life were ranching, his children, grandchildren and extended family. He took great pride in their accomplishments as well as the accomplishments of those he touched in his community organizations. Willy also loved watching and playing football.

Willy is survived by his wife, Jean (Kientiz) Cope of Hot Springs; sons James Cope and daughter-in-law Jan of Klamath Falls, OR; Jerry Cope and daughter-in-law Lori of Aberdeen, SD; daughters Marj (Cope) Schmidt and son-in-law Randy of Gordon, NE; and Marilyn (Cope) Opitz and son-in-law Greg of Omaha, NE. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Michael Zarosinsky, wife Amy and daughter Morgan of Medford, OR and Torrey Cope of Los Angeles, CA; Zoe Cope, Leslie Cope, and Audrey Cope of Aberdeen, SD; Aaron Schmidt and Kyle Schmidt of Gordon, NE; Allison Opitz, Elizabeth Opitz and Kathryn Opitz of Omaha, NE; brother Oscar Cope of Oelrichs, SD; many nieces, nephews, and extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Anna D. and Paul Cope of Oelrichs, SD; sisters Lucile (Cope) Long and twin of Hot Springs, SD; Helen (Cope) Stoll of Chadron, NE; Dorothy Arminta (Cope) of Denver, CO.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, July 22, 2007 at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 23, 2007 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Hot Springs, SD with Pastor Kevin Clark officiating. Interment will follow at
Evergreen Cemetery,Hot Springs, SD. Military Honors will be provided by the Hot Springs Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to St. John's Lutheran Church.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs, SD. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.