William Eugene (Gene) Spargur was born to Mildred and Irvin Spargur on May 7, 1939, in Custer SD. Gene was one of 4 sons including James, John, and Gerald.

Gene spent his youth in Custer, attending Custer High School, and joined the U.S. Navy with tours on the aircraft carriers Midway and Shangri-La . After the service, Gene returned home, married Patricia L O'Connor in 1960, and worked in numerous trades, especially trucking and logging. Sons Glenn, Jeffrey, and William E Jr were born to the union and Gene spent time with his sons as a Scout Leader, confirmation teacher, and teaching Sunday school. Gene's greatest love was to show his sons the love of nature, especially hunting and fishing. Gene was a lifelong cowboy working with horses and cattle. Gene was a story teller extraordinaire but honest to a fault. Gene's sense of humor was known by many and you could always look forward to a good laugh whenever you were around him.

Gene is survived by his wife of 56 years, Pat, of Custer, SD, brother John of Custer, SD and brother Gerald (Alice) of Spearfish, SD, son Glenn (Anita) of Cody, WY, granddaughter Shala (Chad) Cullum and great grandchildren Cip, Caedra, and Cashlea of Bridger, MT; son Jeff (Shari) of Sioux Falls, SD, granddaughter Breonna (Jared) Schnabel and great grandchildren Harper, Macy, and Lola of Mitchell, SD; grandson Shane (Mary), great grandchildren Holden and Presley of Sioux Falls, SD, and granddaughter Brynne of Sioux Falls, SD.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, brother James, and son William Jr.

Services will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 27, 2017, at Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Custer with Pastor Dustin Bartlett officiating.