William Rodger 'Bill' Forney, age 72, passed away April 30, 2011, at his home in Oelrichs, SD.

Bill was born September 28, 1938, in Hot Springs, SD to Selby G. and Doris L. (Muhm) Forney. His early childhood was spent on the Cy Muhm homestead located six miles west and two miles south of Oelrichs, SD. From there the family moved to Igloo, SD and from Igloo they moved to Oelrichs where he grew up. Bill attended all twelve years of school at Oelrichs. After graduation Bill worked for area ranchers as a ranch hand.

On August 2, 1961, Bill married Claudette Wilson of Oelrichs. Bill and Claudette divorced in 1966, and on August 14, 1968, he married Eunice Hoar of Oelrichs. Bill and Eunice were divorced in 2008.

Bill worked for the State Highway Department out of Oelrichs for a number of years. He then went to work for the Oelrichs School District. At that time the first ambulance arrived in town. Bill and Superintendent Whitford ran the ambulance service for sometime before more people were trained.
In the early 1980's Bill went to work for the City of Hot Springs in the Street Department. After a few years he went back to work for the State Highway Department of Hot Springs, where he was employed until his retirement.

Bill served on the Town Board of Oelrichs for many years, was a board member of the Oelrichs City Council for many years and a board member of the Fall River Water District. At the time of his death he was still Water Superintendant and caretaker for the Hillside Cemetery, a position he held for 48 years. He was a dedicated worker with the Oelrichs Ambulance Service and had served since the program started as an EMT and helped with the training of new enrollees.

Bill is survived by three sons, Charles Forney of Hot Springs, SD; Aaron Forney of Custer, SD; Marvin Gossel of Nampa, ID; daughter, Jacquelyn 'Jackie' Meridyth of Odessa, TX; seven brothers, Lanny Forney of Council Bluffs, IA; Steve Forney of Tillamook, OR; Lester (Joan) Forney of Kerns, UT; Larry (Twila) of Oelrichs; Terry (Brenda) Forney of Cypress, TX; Clifford (Lila) Forney of Bennion, UT; Joseph (Renae) Forney of Oshkosh, NE; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 6, 2011, at McColley's Chapels of the Hills in Hot Springs.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 7, 2011, at McColley's Chapels in Hot Springs, SD with Bill Clark officiating. Interment will follow at the Hillside Cemetery near Oelrichs.

Memorials in Bill's name may be sent to the Oelrichs' Volunteer Ambulance Service.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapels in Hot Springs. Written condolences may be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.